If you are a veteran shopper at the Downtown Market, then you likely know of Roy Elko. Elko’s Produce and Greenhouse was a fixture at the Downtown Evanston Farmers Market from the very first market in 1975 until the end of the 44th season last November.
Vikki Proctor, Friends President, visited with Roy recently and caught up with the veteran farmer in his first year of semi-retirement. Here’s her story.
After 44 years of driving every Saturday to their loyal customers at the Evanston Farmers Market, Judy and Roy Elko retired to their Wisconsin farm. The first nine years, Roy drove from their farm in Illinois but in 1986, thinking they would farm more land, moved to Wisconsin, significantly increasing Saturday morning driving time. For other farmers, they knew all was well when they arrived at the market to see that Roy was already there. As the first guy at the market, Roy often had to deal with problems before the market could be set up, such as calling the police and having illegally parked cars towed out of vendors’ spaces.
Some market patrons can probably recall this lovely story. in 1977, Roy put up a sign at the Evanston Market saying that it was his wedding day, and he hoped that shoppers would buy him out early! He left at 1 p.m. and said “I Do” at 3 p.m. Some of the farmers came to the reception that evening.
Roy and Judy Elko grew up on farms; Roy on a hog farm and Judy on a dairy farm. Roy saw Judy at an auction and told his friend, “I’m going to marry that girl someday,” and he did. Roy began farming in 1975 on 5 acres purchased from Judy’s parents. In 1977, Roy and Judy married. In 1986, they left their 5 Illinois acres for 125 acres in Wisconsin where they raised their two daughters, Carrie and Hannah. And Roy continued to drive the 350 mile round trip to the Evanston market, much to the delight of loyal customers.
Judy reported that they have always farmed the old-fashioned way. As a team of two, following sensible farming practices, they built a thriving business. A visiting Amish farmer was surprised to learn they watered by hand, not with a drip system; he said that was too much work even for an Amish farmer.
Roy and Judy were the only two who planted and harvested; they made their own soil enrichments and grew food for their own family. Judy noted that many of their hygienic practices learned from their childhood hog and dairy farms are now in wider practice due to the coronavirus pandemic. I recall ordering cheese for the first time at their Evanston stand. I ordered from a sign and daughter Carrie or Roy himself would disappear into the truck to deliver my cheese. They never approved of customers handling food and, of course, were ahead of their time!
And Roy loved being ahead of harvest time when he produced the first mini-pumpkins at the market. Kids, on the countdown to Halloween, delighted in finding Roy’s pumpkins many weeks before that hallowed day. In this interview, Roy revealed they started the seeds in the greenhouse, then transplanted to the field. We think Roy, always in costume himself, loved Halloween as much as the kids!
This summer isn’t exactly what the Elkos were planning. For the first time ever they were looking forward to a free summer with small trips only dreamed of for 44 years. The pandemic has grounded the Elkos. Roy laughed as he described their Fathers Day outing to A & W; they ate in the car!
There’ll be other summers for travel and fun. But winters and spring are still devoted to their greenhouse flower and vegetable business. There’s no more planting in the fields, though, so they are finding time for many delayed projects.
As we ended our conversation, we discussed current agricultural concerns. Both Judy and Roy fear the small family farm days may be numbered. But as we discussed the Evanston market, their home away from home for 44 years, we focused on loyal market shoppers who understand the environmental, health, and economic value of supporting local farms. Carrie and Mark can still be found at the market, now working for Nichols Farms. The market is in Carrie’s blood. Roy and Judy fondly remember young adults coming to their stand and, after many years bringing their grandchildren.
I had a lump in my throat when I heard both Judy and Roy say they loved the Evanston market and had no regrets! Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets can say we were lucky to have them!
