Amid the hustle and bustle of the growing city of Naperville, Illinois, lies 14.5 acres of grass, earth, and dirt.
For Jeremy Mayne, farm ownership is more than a career. It has served as a way to preserve his health, support the young people in his city, and make a difference in his community.
‘It’s Important Not to Be Sedentary But Active Each Day’
Mayneland Farm is approaching its 50th anniversary, having launched in 1976 from a humble wooden stand at which vegetables were sold. Mayne took it over in 1980.In 1999, he left his career in international transportation because the farm had become so demanding that he had to manage it full-time. He continued farming until this year when he finally leased his property out.
For most of his time running Mayneland Farm, it was usual for Mayne to rise early. He’d wake up at 4:30 a.m. to do paperwork. At dawn, he’d head out to work the land with his staff. Closing would be around 7 p.m., and he’d get to bed at around 9 p.m.
“Often I’d need a nap in the early afternoon,” he said. “Winter months allowed me to sleep longer.”
This year, leasing out the farm has allowed Mayne to enjoy semi-retirement. He spends three hours a day practicing classical piano, and employees will sometimes hear music drifting out of his home on the property. He also enjoys reading.
“For older people, it’s important not to be sedentary but active each day and to improve yourself,” he said.
Mayne is still active in the farm’s operations. He enjoys teaching the tenant and his staff how to grow specialty crops.
“I have kept farming, as I love working with the soil, seeing the first shoots in the spring of beans and other veggies sprouting, working with young people, and serving my customers the freshest produce in the area,” he said.
And all of that farming may have something to do with his robust fitness.
“At 80, I’m still in good health,” Mayne said.
Raising a New Generation
Mayneland Farm also employs a variety of local citizens, from young people to retirees.For many of the young employees, their role at the farm is their first paying job. These enterprising young workers learn how to prepare the soil for seeding, fertilize the crops, and undertake pest control. They also seed growing transplants in the greenhouse and seed the prepared fields.
“I have taught dozens of young people how to use the stick shift and clutch on our three tractors,” Mayne said.
Over the years, hundreds of teens and 20-somethings have worked in the greenhouses, high tunnels, and, of course, the farm stand where the produce is sold. Mayneland Farm has been the backdrop for many treasured memories.
Teaching these hands-on skills to the young folk is something that Mayne values, and many workers will never forget their time at the farm.
“Probably 10 to 12 former employees return each year to say hello, [or they] send [us] Christmas cards,” the octogenarian farmer said.
Supporting the Community
For Mayne, farming has not been without its challenges, and he has had to deal with issues such as unpredictable weather and inflation, but he has stayed motivated.Talking about the year 2020, when most restaurants were closed due to the pandemic, his farm was able to operate under the law. “We were still legal to sell vegetables that we picked here at the farm,” he said.
That boosted his confidence in his decision to continue farming.
“Of course, I had already been doing it for about 38 or 39 years, so I didn’t have any reason to stop,” he added.
Having moved to Naperville as a young boy in 1949, Mayne has spent nearly his entire life in the town, and he places great importance on serving others in his community.
“I don’t understand why I should throw away food that is still edible on the compost pile,” he said.
Mayne is passionate about supporting people and supporting the Earth. His guidance has taken the farm to new heights of success, which he hopes will keep it in good standing in the years to come.
