Farmers Rob and Christina started Montalbano Farms in 2006 on rented land in Marseilles, Illinois. In 2011, we moved to our permanent farming home on 100 acres of family land in Sandwich, Illinois. When we moved to our farm in Sandwich, the property was a cornfield. We immediately started transitioning the land to certified organic production and diversifying the landscape. We constructed greenhouses and machine sheds. We dug a well and installed irrigation lines. We planted hundreds of trees and shrubs to provide habitat for beneficial insects and critters on whom we rely to pollinate our crops, help manage our pest populations, and increase the overall biodiversity of our farm. After 5 years of hard work, the entire farm was organic. Hurrah!
For ten years, we grew a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers which we sold throughout the Chicagoland area through farmers’ markets, grocery stores, restaurants, and our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Voted “Chicago’s Best Local Farm” two years in a row by the Chicago Reader, we established a reputation for high quality, organically-grown produce delivered at the peak of harvest.
We are committed to the principles of organic farming. We will continue to care for and respect the land we steward!