Conservationist and organic farming pioneer Barbara MacArthur died on September 12, 2016 at the age of 82. Barbara was a pioneer who took positions on issues that now seem common and ordinary such as the importance of organic farming, wetland and groundwater preservation, and bird migration.
Barbara MacArthur, along with her late husband Alexander, owned and managed the 430 acre Strathmore Organic Farms (now known as Barrington Hills Farm) in Barrington Hills, which produced organic beef, wheat and soybeans for more than three decades. In 1989 Barbara founded the Land of Lincoln Organic Growers Association, which lobbied the state legislature to introduce a “certified organic” label on produce grown without chemicals.
After the historic opening of China in the early 1970s by President Nixon, Strathmore Organic Farms was chosen by President Nixon to host one of the first cultural exchange venues where the Chinese could visit a modern, progressive American Farm.
Barbara was intimately involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm and could be found walking among the herd of cattle, examining the fence line, and giving tours of the full working cattle farm. She was always keenly aware of the delicate balance between the operational needs of the farm and the fragile environment where it was located.
The slogan painted on a Strathmore Farms pickup truck summed up Barbara’s philosophy: “Where Nature is Always Boss.” “I hate the title boss,” she was known to say. Not only because she always chipped in and worked with her employees, but the idea of trying to artificially control nature was even less appealing.
For that reason Barbara maintained the woods on Strathmore Farm. The woods have been identified as an old growth forest, subject to a single cutting before the turn of the last century. The tree species are diverse and sustained by the variety of soils and ground water preserved in harmony with the forest canopy.
Her love of farming was never about the bottom line. She had the heart of the farmer who loved to work the land. Barbara, and her husband Alexander for whom the Village of Barrington Hills Board Room is named, spent decades fiercely defending Barrington Hills’ tradition of open spaces.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Alexander who died in 1993. Survivors include son Lawrence “Lad” MacArthur of Barrington Hills, Illinois and daughters Jennifer Wilson of Spokane, Washington and Alexa MacArthur of Mercer Island, Washington.
Editor’s note: Services for Mrs. MacArthur took place on September 16th. Those wishing to express their condolences may still do so by signing a guestbook established for her by clicking here.
What a wonderful and fascinating woman!! Beautiful, eccentric, charming, a pioneer. She and her husband, Alexander MacArthur are a prominent part of Barrington Hills history. Both are storied leaders of our culture. So sad to see she is gone. She lost her farm after Alexander’s unexpected passing. It was sadly sold at auction. This tragedy led to the birth of the Barrington Area Conservation Trust through the blood sweat and tears of past resident Mary Bradford White. Her Trust established tools for residents to save precious land and her first achievement was saving Horizon Farms for posterity. Had such tools been available for the MacArthurs much tumultuous history about this beautiful unique property would not have happened. I can only hope for the future of her land to now be cared for by the principles that she fought for and lived by.
A very distinguished couple…..condolences to their families!
Chicago Tribune:
Racing Chief Alexander Macarthur
February 11, 1993|By Joseph Kirby.
Alexander MacArthur, 70, a former head of the Illinois Racing Board who later served as a Barrington Hills trustee until illness forced him to resign in August, died of cancer Monday in his home.
Mr. MacArthur, who also owned Strathmore Organic Farm in Barrington Hills, most recently became known for his campaign to derail construction of the proposed Fox Valley Expressway.
Mr. MacArthur was the nephew of philanthropist John D. MacArthur, whose foundation awards “genius grants” to artists, scholars and activists from various disciplines.
“He was colorful, entertaining and principled,” said state Rep. Bernard Pedersen (R-Palatine), who met Mr. MacArthur through local Republican politics. “He was an outstanding man.”
Mr. MacArthur, a Chicago native, graduated from Lake Forest Academy and attended the College of William and Mary in Virginia, until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
While a pilot, Mr. MacArthur was shot down over Italy, taken prisoner and held at detention camps in Germany for 13 months.
After returning to the U.S., he worked as a reporter for the now-defunct Chicago Daily Times and for his father at the Central Standard Life Insurance Co.
Shortly afterward, he entered politics and was elected a Palatine Township Republican committeeman. He served as deputy Cook County sheriff to Richard Ogilvie, who later was elected governor and appointed Mr. MacArthur chairman of the Illinois Racing Board.
In 1973, he was elected to the Barrington Hills Village Board, where he supported the retention of stringent zoning codes and battled the Illinois Department of Transportation’s efforts to build the proposed Fox Valley Expressway.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara; four daughters, Virginia Jenner, Jennifer Wilson, Mary Ellen and Alexandra; three sons, David, Bruce and Lawrence; four granddaughters; and two grandsons.
Services will be private. A memorial service will be held April 29 at Windridge Cemetery in Cary, the anniversary of Mr. MacArthur’s release from a prisoner of war camp.