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This is our third attempt to present a text amendment proposal to the village, and with each round, we've encountered the same recurring themes (often more as accusations than genuine questions). These are issues that have been raised by critics, and we believe it’s important to address them head-on, in a clear and transparent way.
Below, we've restructured these concerns into the most common questions we hear, along with detailed answers that reflect our commitment to Barrington Hills, other farmers and growers, and the community. We’ve also included links to our previous proposals so you can see how our attempts have evolved with each submission.
We hope these responses provide clarity of our farm’s ongoing dedication to creating a space that aligns with the values of Barrington Hills.
1. “Why are you pushing for this change when the village isn’t open to businesses?”
While we are a small business, this proposal is not about transforming Barrington Hills into a commercial hub. It’s about updating the definition of agriculture, which is already a permitted use in Barrington Hills, to include agricultural sales. Farms are an integral part of the village, and this change simply acknowledges that small farms need the ability to engage directly with customers to remain sustainable. This isn’t about turning the village into a business district; it’s about adapting the regulations to support small, sustainable farms while preserving the rural character of Barrington Hills. The village will remain residential. This adjustment ensures that farms can operate in a way that aligns with modern agricultural practices, where small farms play a role in supporting sustainable food and flower systems, creating educational opportunities, and promoting local agricultural experiences.
2. “Won’t this open the door for other businesses to start popping up?”
No, this proposal is focused solely on agriculture. It doesn’t change zoning or introduce new commercial activities. The village will retain control over how farms operate, and this proposal specifically adds agricultural sales to the definition of agriculture. It’s designed to support small, sustainable farms without opening the door to unrelated commercial ventures. We’re simply asking for the ability to operate within the existing residential framework, ensuring that agricultural activities are allowed without changing the community’s character.
3. “If you’re not making money, why not just give away the products?”
Farming isn’t free, it comes with costs. Whether it’s tools, soil, seeds, or maintaining the land, a farm requires financial investment. While the goal of farms like ours isn’t commercial gain, sustaining operations and covering basic expenses is necessary. This proposal isn’t about turning farming into a business; it’s about ensuring small farms can continue to operate and provide value to the community. Offering products for free isn’t a viable solution for keeping a farm running or ensuring its long-term sustainability.
4. “Why should the village change its zoning for something like this?”
The proposal doesn’t change zoning—it updates the definition of agriculture to allow for agricultural sales. This minor change will ensure that small farms in Barrington Hills can continue to operate sustainably without disrupting the village’s residential zoning. We’re not asking to transform the village or introduce non-agricultural commercial activities; we’re simply asking for the ability to engage directly with people who value locally grown products, while keeping the farm operations small and in line with the character of the community.
5. “Isn’t farming just a hobby? Why should the village care?”
Farming is far from a hobby—it’s an important part of Barrington Hills’ agricultural legacy and offers a valuable opportunity for local residents to connect with the land. For the past three years, we have operated our farm openly, with the village's knowledge and no noise or traffic complaints. In fact, the village recommended that we apply for variances to continue operating. By recognizing agricultural sales, this proposal helps support small, sustainable farming practices, which are vital for preserving open space, for promoting biodiversity, sustainability, enhancing food security, local floral production, and enhancing the area’s agricultural diversity. The village should care because this change helps maintain the rural, agricultural character of Barrington Hills, providing future generations with the opportunity to learn from the land and connect with local agriculture.
6. “Won’t this negatively affect the community by inviting outsiders in?”
This proposal isn’t about attracting outsiders—it’s about maintaining a small, local-scale operation where visitors from Barrington Hills and nearby communities can connect with the land. The number of visitors will be limited, ensuring that the impact on the neighborhood remains minimal. This isn’t about opening the floodgates to commercial tourism; it’s about enabling local farms to thrive in a way that enhances the community without changing its character.
7. “What if this creates noise or traffic issues?”
The village already has mechanisms in place to address noise and traffic concerns, and we are committed to operating within those guidelines. The proposed change doesn’t alter the residential nature of the area, and we’ve designed our farm to ensure that it remains a quiet and respectful part of the community. Traffic and noise are concerns we take seriously, and with limited visitors and clear operating hours, we can ensure minimal disruption to the neighborhood.
8. “Why should we allow farms to engage directly with customers?”
Agriculture has always been about sharing what’s grown with the people who value it. By allowing agricultural sales, we’re honoring the long tradition of farmers connecting directly with their communities, whether through farm stands or seasonal activities. This proposal is about recognizing that small farms need the ability to sell their products directly to those who appreciate them. It’s a natural, sustainable way to keep agriculture alive in Barrington Hills without commercializing the area.
9. “If this is such a good idea, why isn’t everyone doing it?”
Not every resident would aspire to operate a farm or participate in agricultural experiences, and that’s perfectly fine. This proposal is designed to support a specific type of farm that aligns with the values of Barrington Hills—small, sustainable, and community-focused. It’s about offering an opportunity for those who want to engage with agriculture in a meaningful way, without forcing it on everyone. Just as not every person wants to run a business, not every person is looking to farm—but those who do should have the freedom to operate in a way that benefits both them and the community.
10. “Won’t allowing this decrease property values in the area?”
In fact, studies suggest that well-maintained agricultural operations can actually enhance property values. Farms that preserve open space, improve biodiversity, and contribute to the aesthetic beauty of an area are often seen as assets. Look at regions known for wine and flower production—like Napa Valley or the Hudson Valley—where agriculture actually boosts real estate demand. Our farm’s small scale and focus on sustainability will have little to no impact on property values, and in fact, it could increase the appeal of Barrington Hills as a rural, nature-focused community.
11. “Why not just stick to wholesale instead of selling directly to customers?”
Wholesale sales are important for large-scale operations, but small farms simply can’t survive on wholesale alone. The wholesale market is dominated by high-volume suppliers, often reliant on imports. For a small farm, direct sales (whether through farm stands, U-pick fields, or seasonal workshops or pop up events) are essential for maintaining a sustainable operation. This proposal ensures that small farms can stay economically viable.
12. “What if this leads to large-scale commercial farming operations down the line?”
This proposal is very specific and focuses on allowing small, sustainable farming operations that align with the rural, residential character of Barrington Hills. This change doesn’t open the door for large-scale commercial farming—it simply ensures that small-scale farms can legally operate within existing guidelines, without the risk of turning the area into a commercial hub.
13. “How will this proposal affect the traffic in the area?”
We understand that traffic is a concern. However, the village already has mechanisms in place to address traffic issues. Farms can maintain limited hours and a small volume of visitors, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding neighborhood. The proposed change doesn’t alter the residential zoning, and will continue to ensure that farms remain a quiet, low-impact part of the community.
14. “How can we trust that this won’t lead to a lot of development in the future?”
This proposal is narrow and focused on allowing small, sustainable farming operations that align with the rural, residential character of Barrington Hills. We’re not asking for wide-scale development or for the floodgates to open to all types of commercial operations.
15. “Will this change bring in more outsiders or tourists?”
While farms may attract visitors from outside the village, the focus remains on keeping operations small and local (similar to how home occupations operate, the exception being that these activities will occur outdoors/ outside a building). The primary goal is to give visitors the opportunity to experience local agriculture firsthand in a way that doesn’t disrupt the community. The village remains residential, and the proposed change doesn’t allow for large-scale tourism.
16. “Why does the village need to make this change? What’s wrong with the current system?”
The current system doesn’t account for the growing interest in small, sustainable farming practices and direct-to-consumer agricultural sales. This change simply ensures that small farms can continue to thrive in Barrington Hills and engage directly with the community. We agree that the current system has worked, as we operated for three years without noise or traffic complaints. However, an anonymous resident asked Trustee Darby Hills to submit a complaint about our farm, and as a result, the village requested that we apply for a variance to continue operating. This proposal doesn’t alter the fundamental residential nature of the village, but adapts the regulations to allow for modern farming practices. This change helps to support agriculture in a way that is consistent with Barrington Hills’ values of sustainability, education, and open space.
17. “Why not run the farm on donations or free entry?”
Running the farm as a donation-based or free model sounds ideal in theory but isn’t practical for maintaining a farm that requires consistent resources, tools, and land management. Our prices are designed to reflect the cost of living in the Barrington area, ensuring the farm can cover its operating expenses while still remaining accessible to the community. The pricing structure also serves a crucial role in managing the volume and nature of visitors, ensuring that those who truly value the experience of visiting a local farm can do so in a way that aligns with the character of Barrington Hills. Free models often invite a different dynamic, attracting visitors who may not respect the space or contribute to the thoughtful atmosphere we’ve worked hard to cultivate. By maintaining a pricing structure, we ensure that our farm remains an intentional, peaceful, and high-quality experience for those who appreciate it, while also sustaining our ability to continue providing locally grown flowers and educational opportunities. This approach balances accessibility with the long-term viability of the farm, allowing it to operate independently without relying on external donations or charitable influence.
18. “Why can’t you just operate as a nonprofit instead?”
While the nonprofit model might seem appealing, it comes with its own set of ethical challenges. Forming a nonprofit purely to conform to expectations or bypass regulations can be seen as disingenuous. Nonprofits are intended to fulfill specific charitable or community-serving missions, not to operate businesses. Using the nonprofit structure in this context could undermine the very principles that nonprofits are meant to uphold. Our goal is to provide an educational, sustainable, and community-oriented service, and the best way to ensure that long-term is through a business model that allows for self-sustainability without compromising the values of transparency and fairness. Additionally, by operating as a business, we can ensure that all proceeds go directly into the farm’s operations, allowing us to reinvest in the land, improve the farm, and offer the highest quality flowers and experiences.
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