Leaning Shed Farm LLC

Dave and Denise Dyrek bought their 30-acre farm in 2004 as a weekend getaway from their home in Humboldt Park. "The first year, we used it like other Chicagoans," recalls Dave. "We hung out at the beach." They also planted a small garden, and discovered they loved working the soil. While Denise still has her day job in the hotel industry, Dave sold his heating and air conditioning company in December 2008 to focus on gardening full time. At Leaning Shed (named for an actual building on the property), the Dyreks specialize in heirloom variety vegetables and fruits and, though not certified organic, use organic methods to grow their peas, tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, apples and pears. "We are not doing this to make money," says Dave of his newfound profession. "We are doing it as a lifestyle change."