Mighty Greens Farm is a diverse vegetable farm located in Elburn, Illinois, operated by the Palomares family
Mighty Greens Farm is a diverse vegetable farm located in Elburn, Illinois, operated by the Palomares family

Growing for Kane: Mighty Greens Farm Grows Food Year-Round in Kane County

​The Growing for Kane series was created by Sustainable Agriculture Consultant Ellen Kamps. 2/5/2026 2:00PM


Kane County Connects is spotlighting local farms that received grants through Kane County's Food and Farm Resiliency Program. Funded by the federal American Rescue Plan, the program supports farmers as they continue to recover from pandemic-related challenges and work to strengthen the region's food system.         Mighty Greens farmstand

​Meet the Farmers 

Mighty Greens Farm is a diverse vegetable farm located in Elburn, Illinois, operated by the Palomares family. Carlos Palomares and Katie Palomares started Mighty Greens Farm in 2014 with a focus on growing fresh, high-quality produce for their community.

“After spending many years working on other farms, we decided it was time to start our own farm where we could focus on growing the highest quality produce for our local community," shared Carlos.

The farm specializes in growing a wide array of specialty greens for salad blends and microgreens. All greens are grown in soil, using organic farming practices. During the outdoor growing season, production expands to include a wide variety of vegetables.

Mighty Greens pop-up farmstand

Growing Year-Round 

Year-round production is central to Mighty Greens Farm's operation. Greens are grown throughout the winter in a heated greenhouse, allowing the farm to maintain steady production when many farms pause. The farm also has multiple unheated greenhouses that allow for the season to be extended in both spring and fall. Overall, the farm grows about 30 different crops during the year. Storage crops are harvested in the late fall to provide local produce through the winter. 

“It was always important to me to keep growing through the winter, because we don't stop eating when it gets cold," Carlos shared.

Crops are grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. Production decisions are guided by close observation and hands-on management rather than chemical inputs.  

Mighty Greens Farm field of crops 

The Greens Program 

A core part of Mighty Greens Farm's business model is the Greens Program, a subscription-based program that provides members with a weekly share of freshly harvested greens. Members receive a rotating selection of lettuce blends, baby greens, and microgreens, designed to reflect what is growing best each week. Members have the option to add-on seasonal produce each week to their share.

Rather than operating a traditional CSA, Mighty Greens moved toward a more flexible,  customized subscription that allows customers to receive products they will use regularly. Members also receive a weekly newsletter written by Farmer Katie, a registered dietitian, highlighting what is included in the share and offering ideas for use.     

Markets and Community Access

Mighty Greens Farm sells directly to customers at farmers markets and through online sales. The farm participates year-round in the Batavia Farmers Market, both during the outdoor season in downtown Batavia and the indoor season at Sturdy Shelter Brewing. Customers are also able to place an order online during the week for pick-up on the farm on Saturdays.

In addition to retail sales, Mighty Greens Farm plays an active role in addressing food insecurity in Kane County. The farm has partnered with nonprofit organizations to host gleaning days, where volunteers help harvest produce for distribution to families in need. For the past two seasons, Mighty Greens Farm participated in the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program delivering hundreds of pounds of produce weekly to the food bank for distribution to food pantries. The farm also donates any unsold produce after markets to the food pantries.  

At the Batavia Farmers Market, Mighty Greens accepts SNAP benefits and LINK Match coupons, helping ensure access to fresh, local food for a broad range of customers.    
Mighty Greens growing field
The Food and Farm Resiliency Grant

The 2024 Food and Farm Resiliency Grant supported Mighty Greens Farm during a period of rising production costs following the COVID-19 pandemic. Increases in seed, packaging, and equipment costs made it difficult for the farm to invest in infrastructure and repairs. 

Grant funds helped offset operating expenses and supported labor, allowing the farm to continue production while planning for future improvements. The assistance also helped the farm address existing debt and prepare for investments that improve efficiency and reduce long-term costs.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Mighty Greens Farm is focused on stabilizing its operation through improved efficiencies and innovation. Priorities include upgrading greenhouse infrastructure, improving irrigation systems, and expanding post-harvest processing and cold storage capacity.

“These improvements would allow us to grow more consistently through the winter and reduce losses," Carlos explained. “That kind of stability makes a big difference for a small farm."

By continuing to invest in year-round production, direct sales, and food access partnerships, the Palomares family aims to strengthen both their farm and the community they serve.

Where to Find Mighty Greens Farm Products

Mighty Greens Farm Greens Program
Monthly subscription of greens with weekly pick-up on Tuesdays

Mighty Greens Farm Online Pre-Order
Order online at www.mightygreensfarm.com between Tues-Thurs and pick-up on the farm on Saturday between 9am-5pm.

Batavia Farmers Market
Outdoor season: mid-May through October
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon
River Street, Downtown Batavia

Indoor season: November through mid-May
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon
Sturdy Shelter Brewing, 10 Shumway Ave., Batavia

The Growing for Kane series was created by Sustainable Agriculture Consultant Ellen Kamps.


Tags: Around Town Community American Rescue Plan Families Why Kane
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