Established in 2017, Multiple Harvest is a 6-acre farm located in Beecher, Illinois (USA), dedicated to sustainable agriculture and community collaboration. We specialize in growing a diverse array of specialty vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and native plants. We also focus on growing niche, culturally significant vegetables that are popular with African immigrant communities as well as other popular produce.
Our commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through our efforts to build an equitable food system and our dedication to soil health, which we enhance through regular amendments. We engage in value-added processes to reduce food waste and provide healthy, high-quality produce and products to our customers. We share our knowledge with upcoming growers through various workshops.
We are dedicated to providing nutritious, locally sourced products and promoting a sustainable future for our community.
Our mission is to cultivate and provide fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced produce through sustainable farming practices, focusing on culturally significant “home foods” that evoke familiar memories and a sense of belonging. By enhancing soil health, reducing food waste, and fostering community collaboration, we empower individuals to embrace their ancestral food heritage as well as explore diverse culinary experiences.
Our vision is to be a leading model of a small, sustainable farm that enlightens, inspires, and educates future generations of food growers. We aim to create a thriving, resilient food system that prioritizes environmental stewardship, fosters community connections, and ensures the availability of healthy, locally grown produce. Through continuous innovation and collaboration, we envision a future where sustainable farming practices are the norm, contributing to the well-being of our community and the planet.
About the Founder
My name is Beatrice Kamau, the founder of Multiple Harvest, a 6-acre farm located in Beecher, IL. Born in Kenya (East Africa), I have been living in Illinois for over 24 years. I am active in both local and international farming organizations, growing both traditional and culturally significant vegetables, as well as engaging in beekeeping.
Since 2017, Multiple Harvest has been dedicated to sustainable vegetable farming, providing fresh, nutrient-dense produce to our customers. We grow various vegetables, including some rare varieties that are not commonly found fresh in local grocery stores. Our customers often tell us that our vegetables evoke fond memories of the foods they enjoyed in their home countries.
At Multiple Harvest, we strive to provide fresh, flavorful, and delicious produce while preserving cultural heritage. Food connects us to family, evokes warm feelings of home, and holds personal significance. Our produce is locally grown, most from seed, and is nutrient-dense and flavorful. By practicing local and sustainable farming, we are also reducing our carbon footprint. We hope you will appreciate our efforts to connect people from diverse backgrounds through food, making us and our planet healthier and happier.
I believe it is crucial to grow healthy, nutrient-dense foods locally, in healthy soil, while minimizing environmental impact. This includes implementing renewable energy solutions, reducing food waste, finding ways to mitigate climate change, and increasing agricultural resilience.
I am also a founding member of African Women in Beekeeping (AWIB), a group of beekeepers from Africa and the diaspora. I assert that true sustainability involves forging global connections and understanding that each person’s ecological footprint has a collective impact on our shared environment.