Upcoming Programs

See the University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Team’s website at:   https://extension.illinois.edu/lfssf

• 2024 Summer Horticulture Field Day | Thursday, June 6 at Jonamac Orchard 19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL 60150 Event is sponsored by the Illinois State Horticultural Society and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association. Advance registration is $35 and includes lunch. To register and find more information, visit www.tickettailor.com/events/ishs  Questions: email Jenna Spychal – Summer Hort Field Day Coordinator at jenna@jonamacorchard.com  or call 217-254-5258. 
• 2024 Pumpkin Field Day | Thursday, September 5 at Eckert’s Belleville Farm, Belleville, IL Save the date! More details and registration information in future issues.
• 2025 From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference | January 29 through 31 at Bank of Springfield Center, Springfield, IL.  Mark your calendars now and look for further details later this year!

News and Announcements

Illinois Summer Horticultural Field Day set for Thursday, June 6, 2024

The Illinois State Horticultural Society is proud to announce the annual Summer Horticulture Field Day at Jonamac Orchard in Malta, Illinois. The McArtor & Spychal Family is welcoming guests to tour their farm and agritainment operation on Thursday, June 6th.

Gerald and Mary Lynn McArtor purchased the farm from Stan Johnson in 1984 with only a couple hundred trees and 15 acres. Gerald or “Jerry” as he is better known, had formed a love of horticulture from taking classes at the local college. He decided to name the farm Jonamac to celebrate both the Johnson and McArtor families that had owned the orchard. In 1993, Jerry and Mary Lynn welcomed their son Kevin, and his wife Denice into the business. They moved into the barn/house on the property in 1996 and raised their sons Max and Jake on the farm.

Kevin & Denice helped grow the business further by adding a gift store in the Bakery Area, and adding family activities including a corn maze, play area, and much more. In 2012, granddaughter Jenna and her husband Mike Spychal started working full time at the business and have become partners in the business as well. They have continued to help the family business grow by continuing to expand the orchard, add events, and new products such as hard cider and wine from the Cider House. Jenna and Mike have also added the 4th generation to the family, Amy and Cal.

In the last 40 years the McArtor and Spychal Family have worked together to build the farm into a fall destination for guests from the Chicagoland area. The family welcomes friends and members of the Illinois State Horticultural Society to visit the farm for a behind the scenes tour of the operation.

The field tour will showcase how the family operates their orchard highlighting apples transitioning to high density, discuss varieties including heirloom and cider varieties, pumpkin planting and growing practices, the process of growing and creating the annual Corn Maze, and flower fields. The field tour will end with a discussion on hard cider in the Cider House. Specialists in plant pathology, entomology, and weed & pest management from the University of Illinois and University of Illinois Extension as well as major industry supporters with new equipment, seed & nursery representatives, and other pertinent Agri-Industry members will also participate in the field tour and discussions to provide updates and information to growers.

For those not interested in the field tour, there will also be an indoor tour focusing on making donuts, caramel apples, and the Bakery and retail operation at Jonamac. They will also discuss Employee Hiring and Management Techniques for the season. After lunch, guests of the field day also have the opportunity to stay at the farm for further discussions about Jonamac’s Agritourism features including activities, events, and the Haunted Corn Maze.

Sign up today for a fun filled day of farm tours, educational talks, great food, and a chance to visit with vendors and friends both old and new! This event is sponsored by the Illinois State Horticultural Society and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association. Advance registration is $35 and includes lunch. To register and find more information, visit www.tickettailor.com/events/ishs Questions: email Jenna Spychal – Summer Hort Field Day Coordinator at jenna@jonamacorchard.com or call 217-254-5258.