5 BACKGROUND Originally settled by the Pottawatomi Indians, the Kankakee River Valley became home to European settlers in the 1820’s and 30’s. Immigrants from New York and Vermont moved west to Kankakee County, and settled in Momence. The Illinois Central Railroad helped to establish the city of Kankakee, and provided business, lumber, transportation, trade, and a means for farmers to sell and ship larger crops. In addition to the railroad, the Kankakee River provided opportunities for the city to thrive. The river provided water, power, recreation, transportation, and fishing. It also provided a beautiful backdrop. AGRICULTURAL HISTORY The natural resources, fertile soil, and early development of the Kankakee area lead to a strong agricultural economy in Kankakee County. The Kankakee area is bountiful in natural resources with rivers, forests, plains, and parks, and economically sound with a diverse array of agricultural products. Corn and soybeans are the most prevalent crops grown in Kankakee County, but there are many specialty crops grown in the eastern part of the county. The sandy soil types in eastern Kankakee County are ideally suited for specialty crop production. Additionally, with the City of Chicago within an hour’s drive from the farms in Kankakee County, there is an excellent nearby market for these specialty crop products. More than 5,400 acres in Kankakee County are devoted to specialty crops, including vegetables, herbs, fruits, and melons. Kankakee County has the largest herb growing farm in the Midwest (see opposite page). This herb farm, located near Momence, Illinois, grows basil, cilantro, kale, chives, green onions, curly parsley, Italian parsley, dill, oregano, garlic chives, stinging nettles, sage, and collards. There are also several large sod farms in Kankakee County as well as potato, cabbage, squash, pepper, and pumpkin production. Kankakee County is a top-producing Illinois county for pumpkins and Kankakee County grows more jack-o-lantern pumpkins than any other county in the United States. Specialty crops require a higher investment, are a lot more labor intensive, and are much more susceptible to disease and adverse growing conditions. However, acre per acre, these specialty crops are more valuable when compared to traditional corn and soybean production. As a community proud of its unique diverse agricultural heritage, many local festivals relate to these specialty crops. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS BY VAN DRUNEN FARMS: •  Planted more than 100,000 trees in the Momence river bottom • Planted 200 acres of native grasses •  Maintain more than 1400 acres of land dedicated to conservation •  Implement conservation programs with the USDA FSA including CRP and CREP including 60 acres of wetland reserve ground and 600 acres which are considered natural marshland •  Construct and maintain water ways to prevent erosion •  Reduce fertilizer use by testing plants and soil •  Maintain and continue to expand organic acreage • Rotate crops for soil health