Boone County Watchdog: Angelic Organics in Caledonia closes

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Angelic Organics in Caledonia closes

Shareholders consider legal action against Angelic Organics Farm after sudden closure

Published: May. 29, 2024 at 7:48 PM CDT|Updated: 17 hours ago

CALEDONIA, Ill. (WIFR) - Green buds escape brown dirt off a Caledonia gravel road. Near the farm fields rests a sign announcing “Angelic Organics Association.”

On Memorial Day weekend, those who purchased a slice of Angelic Organics’ crops received news the farm would close – effective immediately. An email from “Farmer John,” who oversaw the direct farm-to-consumer relationship for decades, notified shareholders as far as Chicago.

“I didn’t pay $500 for an onion,” says Katherine Ford. The finance worker lives in downtown Chicago but became a first-time shareholder this year. However, the weekend’s announcement means the Chicagoan won’t see any produce: “I was going to get my first delivery in June, so I guess I would be a negative shareholder at this point.”

Alicia Hernandez enjoyed the fresh veggies since 2020 – even working remotely for Angelic’s customer service for a year.

“I just really liked being part of that history and it also gave a sense of security,” says Hernandez, commenting on the farm’s nearly hundred-year history. “They know what they’re doing? They’ve been around for so many years.”

Angelic is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) endeavor: “shareholders” pay between a couple hundred to thousands of dollars each year for the Stateline-grown produce. Veggies include garlic bulbs, onions, brussels sprouts, spinach, kale and more. The farm has supplied the greater Chicago area for more than three decades.

In the email, nevertheless, Farmer John detailed a career-ending stroke he suffered in March. Due to deteriorating health, and no replacement, the decision arrived to a closure.

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