The market garden produces the following:Lettuce Mustard GreensKaleSwiss ChardCollard GreensCarrotsPeasBeansBeetsRadishCauliflowerBrusselsCabbageSweet CornPopping CornSummer and Winter SquashOnionGarlicLeekShallot

In the summer months, the high tunnel produces:Tomatoes (Cherry and Heirloom)PeppersEggplantCucumbersCut-flowers

We have a diverse selection of stone and pome fruits and berries in our orchard, including:American PersimmonPlumApplePeachAsian PearChinese QuinceCherryAlmondPaw-PawBlack, White, and Red CurrantsSeaberryGooseberryGoumiAutumn Olive

The Farm

Tomato vines growing at Soil and Soul Farm with green and ripe tomatoes visible on the vine.

About The Farm

The Power of Regenerative Farming

First coined by Robert Rodale from the Rodale Institute, regenerative farming emerged to encourage producers to move beyond organic, and directly address the environmental damage caused by decades of industrial agriculture. Through purposeful design, regenerative practices aim to restore the four key landscape functions (carbon-cycle, soil-mineral cycle, water-cycle, and biodiversity) and encourage a meaningful collaboration with them.

In total, the Institute of Soil and Soul covers 9 acres with 3 acres currently in production.

The farm includes a no-till market garden, two high tunnels, a flock of seventy laying hens, fruit orchards, and vast woodlands enrolled in a conservation program through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Each year, we produce over 14,000 pounds of food from our market garden and another 12000 pasture-raised eggs that touch the lives of over a hundred families in the Chicagoland area. But wait, there's more! With over 50 young fruit trees, we expect our yields to increase another 50% in the next two years.

The market garden produces the following:

Lettuce
Mustard Greens
Kale
Swiss Chard
Collard Greens
Carrots
Peas
Beans
Beets
Radish
Cauliflower
Brussels
Cabbage
Sweet Corn
Popping Corn
Summer and Winter Squash
Onion
Garlic
Leek
Shallot

In the summer months, the high tunnel produces:

Tomatoes (Cherry and Heirloom)
Peppers
Eggplant
Cucumbers
Cut-flowers

We have a diverse selection of stone and pome fruits and berries in our orchard, including:

American Persimmon
Plum
Apple
Peach
Asian Pear
Chinese Quince
Cherry
Almond
Paw-Paw
Black, White, and Red Currants
Seaberry
Gooseberry
Goumi
Autumn Olive

Ecological Growing Methods

At The Institute of Soil & Soul we use ecological methods to enhance and maintain soil health while providing some of the freshest, fairest, and most nutritional produce to communities who lack access.

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Meet the Farmers

FOUNDER, Course Director

Gabriel Gould, MA, PGDip

Completed Permaculture Design Course at Finca Tierra in Costa Rica.
Holds a post-graduate diploma in Regenerative Food and Farming Systems from Schumacher College in England.
Holds an M.A. in Depth Psychology with a specialization in Jungian and Archetypal Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute
Insatiable Student of Life

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Herbalist

Kelcie

Began walking the plant path after overcoming her own health issues with herbal medicine
Holds a permaculture design certificate from Ecoversity
Integrates medicinal plants into gardens and landscapes to support the health and vitality of the land and her community
Considers herself a forever student of the plant teachers

Farm Hand

Gina

From the northwest suburbs of Chicago
Grew up always surrounded by home gardens
Studied Supply Chain Management at the University of Illinois
Currently works as an Ingredient Buyer
Interested in learning more about localizing food systems and agroecology farming techniques
Enjoys cooking my family recipes, going hiking, and starting new sewing projects

Spring Intern

Rin

Graduated from Loyola University, B.S. in Psychology
Grew up in Northeast Ohio wandering through the woods, tending the garden, and tending bee hives
Values of authenticity, interconnection, and creativity are founded on the belief that humanity and nature cannot be separated.
Interests in Depth Psychology and Ecology

Spring Intern

Jara

Originally from Virginia, Jara has spent the last ten years immersed in the tech world.
In recent years, Jara has rediscovered a passion for the outdoors, striving to build skills in self-reliance and farming.
Standing at 6'6", Jara can be found dominating Chicago recreational volleyball leagues and has proudly earned the title of Soil and Soul's tallest and strongest farm-hand to date.