Julie of Rosewood Farm: A Women’s History Month Spotlight in the Aurora Area

Women’s History Month gives us the chance to honor those who came before us — the trailblazers whose determination helped shape the women in our communities today. This month, we’re highlighting stories from women right here in the Aurora Area who are shining their light for the next generation to follow.

Our first feature celebrates Julie, founder and owner of Rosewood Farm in Sugar Grove — a local business that embodies creativity, resilience, and community spirit.

Cultivating a Dream

Rosewood Farm has become an integral part of the Sugar Grove community, offering guests a refreshing escape to the countryside. Julie has created her version of heaven on a farm, where visitors, whether familiar with farm life or not, can immerse themselves in the landscape and connect with nature.

A Yorkville native, Julie began her career as a chef in Chicago, where she refined her culinary skills and found inspiration from “pioneering women chefs like Suzanne Goin, who built an incredible career in a male-dominated industry while staying true to her style and values. I also admire women like Alice Waters, Julia Child, and Ina Garten.”

She continues, “What resonates with me is how they honored the heart of home cooking and hospitality and then chose to share it on a bigger stage. They showed that nurturing, feeding people, and creating welcoming spaces are powerful forms of leadership — whether that’s in a home kitchen or a professional one.”

That sense of purpose fueled Julie’s vision for Rosewood Farm — a space that would tell her story while building on the legacy of women who paved the way in the culinary and hospitality world.

From City Chef to Country Creative

After years in the city, Julie missed the open spaces and slower rhythms of country life. In late 2019, she bought land in Sugar Grove with plans to create a farm wedding venue.

Then came 2020 — and with it, a major shift in direction. “Covid shifted those original plans; it also opened the door to new ways of sharing the farm with the community. Once I saw how much guests wanted to engage with the farm beyond weddings, I knew I was on the right path,” Julie recalls.

Today, Rosewood Farm has blossomed into “an outdoor space where people could gather, connect with one another, and simply be outside.” In 2025, Julie added a beautiful new barn-style event building to host up to 100 guests — the perfect year-round venue for weddings, celebrations, and intimate gatherings.

A Place to Gather and Grow

Julie describes Rosewood as “a working farm that blends authentic rural charm with curated experiences, offering a farm shop stocked with naturally grown produce and flowers, animal encounters, vibrant makers markets, hands-on cooking workshops, seasonal camps and educational programs for children, and a beautiful countryside setting for weddings and celebrations. All are designed to bring the community together and create meaningful experiences for guests of every age.”

She also credits much of her growth to collaboration — particularly through the group Farm Girls of Northern Illinois, a collective of women in the farming industry. “We meet regularly to discuss the challenges of farming and small business, and to support each other rather than see one another as competition. I truly believe that small businesses, especially women-owned ones, should lift each other up, not tear each other down.”

When asked what Women’s History Month means to her, Julie reflects, “While I was a chef, I worked in very male-dominated kitchens, and it can be challenging to stand out as a woman in many industries. As a business owner, my hope is to empower everyone who works with us to grow, explore their potential, and learn as much as they want. I’m also very grateful that, in this generation, I have access to resources that support woman-owned small businesses, and I try never to take that for granted.”

Connecting Community Through Food

One of the best ways to support Rosewood Farm right now is by joining their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. Members purchase a share at the start of the growing season and receive a weekly harvest box of seasonal produce - a model that helps farms stay sustainable while fostering a closer connection between growers and consumers.

In addition to the CSA, Rosewood hosts summer camps, cooking classes, markets, and themed events that make it easy to support local while learning and having fun.

As Julie explains, “Supporting us isn’t just about our business; it’s about helping families and individuals connect with where their food comes from and understand the importance of caring for the land, animals, and environment. We offer a wide variety of programs and services, so following us on social media is a great way to stay up to date on upcoming events and to see all the ways you can engage with our farm.”

You can also find Rosewood’s new market shop in Downtown Batavia at 12 S. Water St., where you can browse local goods, grab freshly baked pastries, or take home a tasty meal — all infused with that signature Rosewood warmth.

Local, Connected, Rooted

Julie is quick to express gratitude for the community that sustains her business. “How invested the community is in our business… the support we receive from all over has been a blessing. It really inspires me to keep going.”

Her favorite local spots? “I’m a big fan of Society 57 coffee shop and French 75 Gallery and Lounge. Both make me feel a touch of city life that I do miss from time to time.”

When asked to describe her community in three words, Julie didn’t hesitate: “Local, Connected, and Rooted.” And truly, that’s what Rosewood Farm has brought to our region — a sense of place, purpose, and connection. Visit Rosewood Farm at 600 Prairie St, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 and their market location at 12 S Water St, Batavia, IL 60510.

If you’re a woman business owner in the Aurora Area, we’d love to spotlight your story next! Reach out and join us in celebrating the local voices that make our region one-of-a-kind.
Email us at Marketing@EnjoyAurora.com to share your story.