A mid-1800’s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today. The 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and amazingly unique towns sprung up that maintain their authentic charm to this date.
READ ON!Freedom. The Open Road. The American Dream. All are still alive on The Mother Road. The nostalgia of diners, museums, tourist stops and neon lights are there for you to visit as you make the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA. You can still get your Kicks on Route 66!
READ ON!A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month.
READ ON!The Heritage Corridor is filled with events that are waiting just for you. Live music, fun festivals, learning programs, and active adventures await.
READ ON!Are you looking for a specific type of place to visit in the I&M Canal Heritage Corridor? If you're a craft beer fan, you will love the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail? Seeing a thrilling journey or just an escape, check out Adventure Outside Chicago. We've got all the info to unlock your next trip right here.
READ ON!In a typically male-led field of work, Jennifer Bronk truly stands out for all of her hard work and dedication in starting Bronkberry Farms.
On this family farm, you can find a 70 x 30 barn, “state of the art” greenhouse boasting quality flowers, and fresh vegetable plants. Jennifer and her husband, Kevin Veen, established Bronkberry Farms back in 2012. However, “The Bronk Farm” has been in her family for 5 generations, growing corn and soybeans.
She grew up learning the ropes from her father and grandfather who were farmers. Helping out on the farm became like second nature to Jennifer. Many years later, after traveling to Michigan for apples and vegetables, she decided to turn her family farm into a garden center.
Her and her husband started as a roadside stand with a small greenhouse, a ¼ acre vegetable garden, and a pumpkin patch. Plainfield has always been where the family farm was, so when growing bigger, she knew she had to stay true to the area.
“I love being a part of the community and providing farm fresh veggies to the public,” she says. “Also, being able to see all the faces I’ve known for years and meeting new families.”
As you can imagine, running a farm is not easy. There are many things to take into consideration. Although they are open all year around, the most popular seasons are spring, summer, and fall. During the warmer seasons, you have to think about the weather, “Which you have no control over,” says Jennifer.
During the pandemic, Jennifer realized that her business increased due to being an essential business and offering fresh healthy choices to those in her community.
While visiting Bronkberry Farms, she wants you to feel at ease. “I want to make people feel relaxed, refreshed, and grounded. Alleviate some stress and come to hangout.” Overall, Jennifer wants her farm to be a true destination for the community where you can come and spend time.
For the future of the business, she would like to bring families together and provide a nice outdoor atmosphere. Their open space can be used for events and celebrations.
To find out more about Bronkberry Farms, visit hcdestinations.com/Attractions/Bronkberry-Farms