Oswego Horticulture Club had the opportunity to learn about a new and growing branch of agriculture–microgreens. John Jarusz and Brad Hathaway, co-owners of American Pride Microfarm, enlightened the members on their business journey, the flourishing niche for microgreens, and even brought some microegg samples for those who were brave enough to give it a try.
Jarusz and Hathaway started their partnership in the business of window washing, but knew from the beginning that they wanted to plant feet into the world of farming. However, with neither of their families having any land to inherit, chances looked grim. But after listening to a podcast on microgreens, the prospect of being farmers started to seem less far-fetched.
Microgreens, for many of us who don’t know, are basically ten-day old vegetables that are picked early but contain 40 times more nutrients than adult vegetables. They’re 100 percent organic and are typically used as garnish, for they carry a strong scent.
The great thing about ten-day old vegetables is that they don’t take up much room–a simple rack in your basement could suffice. And that’s exactly what Jarusz and Hathaway did. After calling a couple local markets and having to explain what microgreens were multiple times, the farmers were welcomed into the Bolingbrook and Naperville markets.
Since then, they’ve continued to travel to other markets–from Chicago to our very own Oswego. At $6 for a full container (2 oz), they’ve made good business and continue growing. In fact, they’ve even added microeggs–”adorable and delicious” quail eggs–to their menu.
If you want to give microgreens a try, look out for a guy hacking at baby vegetables with a small axe next time you visit your local farmer’s market–you won’t regret it.
Student Publication of Oswego High School, Oswego, IL
