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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.
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