Schedule
- 10 AM – Rustic Road Farm, 1N 292 Brundige Road, Elburn, Illinois
- 12 PM – Lunch at Farm Market – lunch on your own
- 1:30 PM – Honey Hill Orchard, 11783 Waterman Rd., Waterman, IL 60556
RSVP Requested
More about Rustic Road Farm:
Marc and Luis Bernard dreamed of owning a farm. Marc, an executive chef for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants at the time, figured it would be a few years out. His spouse, Luis, was earning his master’s degree and wanted to start his career as a special education teacher first.
But an opportunity presented itself in 2011 and they purchased a home with a barn on a five-acre property in Elburn, Illinois. They didn’t have any real experience but a part of the excitement would be learning, figuring it all out. They started from scratch, carving out growing areas, planting raspberry bushes and apple trees.
Today, they’re farming more than 30 acres, raising heritage red wattle pigs, F1 waygu cattle, Katahadin sheep, free-range chickens and pasture eggs. Several hives produce honey. Helping the goats birth their kids has become a regular practice. They installed several hoop houses, allowing them to farm year-round.
The work is demanding but the Bernards couldn’t be more fulfilled. The farm has become an integral part of the community, welcoming residents to their weekly farm stands and special events. They also have a presence at the nearby Wheaton Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and LaGrange Farmer’s Market on Thursdays.
Stop by for the next farm stand to try the heritage bacon or Rustic Road Farm honey. If there’s a vegetable variety you’ve always wanted to grow, share your passion with the Bernards.
Honey Hill Orchard:
In 1965, my dad, Hawken Askelson, decided to plant a few apple trees as a hobby. He had retired from farming, but still had a strong desire to be involved in agriculture at some level. Dad decided that planting a few apple trees to provide fruit for our family would be a great idea. I think my mom, Edna, agreed just to keep him busy and out of the house! Within a few years, the trees were producing more apples than we could possibly use, so Dad set up shop in the garage and Honey Hill Orchard was born. In 1977, my husband, Steve and I joined the business and worked alongside my parents. Mom and Dad retired from the orchard in 1992 and Steve and I took over full time operation. With the help of our three daughters, Lindsay, Stephanie and Brittany, the orchard continued to grow and provide a place for thousands of visitors to enjoy a fall day in the country.