Over thirty years ago, in 1978, the owner of Random Acres, Len Johnson, was a Conant High School student living in the house at our Schaumburg Road location with his family.  Len, his brothers, and a high school friend enjoyed doing some farming on the family's land.  They started selling their crops out in the front yard to people passing by.  As they wanted to farm more land, they rented property from other farmers in various locations throughout Schaumburg.  Hence the name:  Random Acres!

As the young men got older, married, had families and full-time jobs, they did not have time to dedicate to the small but time-consuming business.  All the men decided to leave except Len, who continued to farm.

Soon Len decided to add some greenhouses to start his vegetable plants in.  Then, in order to help extend the selling season, he decided to grow flowering plants.  It didn't take long before the seasonal business was thriving!

As the business grew, Len's retired father, his mother, and his younger sister were working at the farm market.  High school students were also employed as seasonal help.  In 1988, Len hired his first full-time employee and in 1989, his second full-time employee was added.  

In 1999, Len took over the farm market on the corner of Roselle Road & Central Road.  In addition to produce, Len began selling flowers at the stand.  He now grows most of the flowers and hanging baskets in the greenhouses at that location.  Len continues to farm produce there, and runs the stand with the help of his fiancé, Patricia, and manager, Jackie.