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U-Pick In Barrington Hills

Writer's picture: Chris YChris Y

At Little Ducky Flower Farm, we’re committed to offering a unique and sustainable experience to the community. This upcoming ZBA hearing will mark our third attempt to reopen our U-Pick, and throughout this process, we’ve encountered concerns from the zoning board about the impact of farms open to the public. Some have suggested that these kinds of ventures could disrupt the quiet, peaceful way of life that makes Barrington Hills so special. Here’s why we believe Little Ducky Flower Farm is the opposite of what these concerns suggest:


Low Impact, low Traffic

Before starting our farm, we reached out to our neighbors for feedback. We also proactively contacted Village Hall in February 2022, and at no point were we told no. Since opening, we’ve never received any noise complaints or traffic complaints. Located just three doors away from the village hall, on a state highway, our farm operates intentionally at a small scale—by appointment only. We focus on offering a personal, educational, and sustainable experience, rather than running a mass tourism operation. This ensures minimal disruption to the community and keeps traffic and noise to a bare minimum.


No Commercialization

Our goal is not to transform Barrington Hills into a commercial zone. Little Ducky Flower Farm is about maintaining the village’s agricultural legacy while offering the community a meaningful opportunity to connect with the land. Access to small farms is crucial for a healthy, sustainable community, providing a direct link to the food we eat and the natural environment that sustains us. While we focus on flowers, which may seem separate from traditional food crops, they are an important part of the agricultural landscape, contributing to biodiversity and supporting pollinators that are vital for our food systems. In the U.S., about 80% of cut flowers are imported, which puts strain on local ecosystems and reduces biodiversity. By supporting small, local farms like ours, we help strengthen and diversify our local agricultural system. Additionally, small farms serve as gathering places where people can learn, connect with nature, and support the local economy. Our farm remains intentionally small and sustainable, offering experiences that are often missing from modern, industrialized food/ agricultural systems.


Supporting education and sustainability

Little Ducky Flower Farm attempts to create a living classroom focused on sustainability. The global flower industry relies heavily on chemicals, the labor of workers paid low wages to work in poor conditions, and contributes to carbon emissions from long-distance transportation. By growing flowers locally, we reduce our carbon footprint and offer the community a chance to engage in environmentally conscious practices. We also provide educational opportunities for local schools, 4-H groups, and other organizations, and show how agriculture can be part of a larger, necessary movement toward sustainability, from healthy soils to thriving communities.


Maintaining village character

Barrington Hills prides itself on its peaceful, rural character, and Little Ducky Flower Farm aligns perfectly with this vision. It’s a small, family-run operation that blends seamlessly into the natural landscape. Both of us work full-time jobs outside of the farm and operate this business outside of our professional hours. This farm is not about making a profit at the expense of our community; it’s about offering something meaningful for the community. We believe that small farms like ours are an essential part of what makes Barrington Hills unique and special.

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