Meet Your Local Farmer: Steve Tiwald

Steve Tiwald is an organic farmer who in 2002 leased 50 acres of farmland in Naperville from The Conservation Foundation, a regional not-for-profit land and watershed protection organization. Tiwald’s farm is named the Green Earth Institute and is operated by Steve and his 24-year-old son Nathan with additional help from three interns and several volunteers. Like Michael Ableman, Tiwald is passionate about growing healthy, organic food and co-existing with his neighbors while educating them about the importance of protecting the rich agricultural land of Illinois. The Tiwalds grow about 40 crops on the farm including herbs and vegetables that are harvested throughout the summer through the end of October.

Tiwald best explains the uniqueness of his farm: “Our farm stands out because of its location-surrounded by homes in the suburbs. It is accessible for people to visit the farm, to pick up their CSA share directly at the farm, even to participate in growing their own food! In addition, we have educational programs for all ages, which teach about where food comes from and why it is so important to be good stewards of the earth.”