Jessica Paige envisions a future for American food producers where more and more people can create their own organic farm-to-table enterprises, sustaining themselves and their communities. At the age of 26, this first-generation farmer from Illinois spends her weeks delivering boxes filled with her “beyond organic” produce, including homegrown tomatoes, spinach, carrots, onions, among others, to her expanding network of community-supported customers to ensure a stable source of income.
Every Saturday, Paige heads to the Marengo farmers’ market in northern Illinois, where she often hears customers rave about the “best spinach on earth” and how unexpectedly delicious her produce tastes.
Local farm-to-table restaurant Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen regularly orders multiple batches of spinach from Paige. The Food Shed Co-op in Woodstock does the same.
Paige told The Epoch Times, “Seeing these businesses prioritize locally-sourced foods gives me hope for the future of small-scale agriculture.”
Her enterprise, Adama Farm, located in Marengo on a 63-acre ex-orchard which she purchased in 2023, is where her dream started to materialize. With a combination of family loans and savings from postgraduate studies, Paige managed to cover the startup costs.
Despite having minimal experience, Paige boldly dove in, drawing on brief internships at a few small organic farms and her environmental science background. After attending college in New York, she moved back to Illinois to kickstart her new venture. Paige shared, “In the first few months, we were incredibly busy. I tested the soil since it had been previously farmed, and started immediately with compost and cover cropping to increase fertility.”
She added, “The excitement and fear of starting a business were overwhelming.”
Paige constructed an infrastructure system comprising raised beds and irrigation, with a neighbor loaning her a tractor to assist for a few months. Planting season quickly followed, paving the way for selling her produce and establishing a community network.
Paige revealed, “I implemented a crop rotation plan, began ordering seeds in the winter, worked to secure customers, established a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, secured a spot at the farmers’ market, and actively connected with other local farmers.”
Starting from a small garden plot, Paige still has ample room for expansion on her 63-acre property.
With a focus on regenerative farming, Paige aims to harmonize her farm with the local environment, aligning with nature. Her no-till and beyond organic methods mean safeguarding soil structure without using pesticides or approved organic sprays.
“I’m passionate about sustainable agriculture and producing food that aligns harmoniously with nature,” Paige stated.
Regenerative farming involves a self-sustaining, non-invasive way of growing food. Paige’s goal is to create a “balanced and intriguing” small ecosystem by planting a variety of crops with different needs and natural pest resistance, introducing flowering plants to the garden to attract beneficial insects and pollinators, blending a beautiful landscape with her flair for fashion.
At the end of the first year, Paige noticed her soil responded well to her methods. Her crops, including tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, garlic, beets, and leafy greens, thrived.
However, hard work doesn’t always guarantee success, not to mention the significant physical labor and sweat involved.
Paige reflected, “Even though I had worked on farms before, running my own farm posed a different challenge. I’ve doubted whether I had the endurance and resilience to handle the long hours in the field, unpredictable weather, and the pressure of entrepreneurship.”
Last year, flooding submerged Paige’s farm, causing devastating crop losses. At other times, pests would wreak havoc, and Illinois’ climate brought frost that could kill plants.
Paige’s strategies included digging trenches and increasing cover crops in low-lying areas to enhance water absorption for the fields. To combat frost and pests, she now uses row covers. She practices intercropping, planting in succession for diversity, ensuring that if one crop fails, another may thrive.
One of the crucial lessons Paige learned is the necessity of adaptability when faced with unexpected changes in nature. Coping with weather challenges and pests taught her the importance of having one or two backup plans always in place.
Two years on, Paige isn’t just growing food; she’s forging genuine connections with the community, integral to her regenerative approach. It’s a symbiotic relationship—bugs, soil, crops, people, and relationships—all mutually supporting one another.
So, has Paige’s regenerative farm had a positive impact on Marengo, Illinois? Has it opened doors for others? Paige shared that the clean foods she sells to CMA members have changed their eating habits, encouraging them to cook more at home.
One customer told her, “I have never eaten this much fresh produce and veggies in my life,” underscoring the potential demand for locally grown foods within the community. Perhaps more grassroots farmers could leverage this customer base.
Potential natural sales channels may be dormant, awaiting local farmers like Paige to activate them. Businesses like Duke’s Alehouse embrace Adama Farm. Unfortunately, not everyone is receptive.
Paige explained, “Not everyone understands why I farm this way; some are surprised by the price of truly organic, artisan-produced goods compared to grocery store prices. I have to explain why beyond organic farming is different and why it’s worth buying.”
Paige plans to host seminars on sustainable farming and may organize farm-to-table dinners featuring freshly harvested seasonal produce.
Looking ahead, Paige envisions Adama Farm turning profitable in its third year. However, she emphasizes that the farm isn’t just a business; it’s rooted in her Christian faith.
The name Adama means soil or dust, reflecting Paige’s beliefs. She shared that she prayed extensively and had deep conversations with others before choosing the name. Drawing parallels from agricultural metaphors in the Bible, the name reminds her that “we come from dust and shall return to dust. While we’re alive, we should care for the dust.”
She added, “Farming offers a lot of hope, even spiritual courage; you plant a seed believing God will make it grow. And when I harvest in the summer, I experience grace and abundance.”
During challenging times, Paige relies on prayer and faith, drawing inspiration from the biblical narrative of Adam tending the Garden of Eden. She views farming not just as a job or business but as her divine calling.