Endless Greens, a regular vendor at Evanston’s farmers markets, has received a grant from noted chef Rick Bayless’ Frontera Farmer Foundation to go solar, according to an announcement by Friends of Evanston’s Farmers Markets.
The small urban farm that occupies about a third of an acre in south Evanston, is owned by Gareth and Valerie Proctor.
“We do need supplemental lighting in the colder months and we run cooling fans in the warmer months,” the Proctors said in a newsletter. “These costs add up, so with this grant we will power our greenhouse with the sun by having 16 solar panels installed on our property.”
The Proctors pride themselves on a commitment to sustainable growing practices.
Bayless, proprietor of Chicago’s Frontera Grill, established the foundation in 2003 to attract support for small Midwestern farms, according to its website.
“Small local farms promote biodiversity by planting a wide range of produce, are more likely to operate using organic practices, and add immeasurably to the fabric of their communities. By their artisanal approach to agriculture, these farmers insure the highest quality of food,” the website declares.