Dec. 31, 2013
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New Year's Eve is often a time to reflect on the past year, and for me, this year is particularly significant. Today marks the end of my first year working for The Land Connection, which as I think back, represents far more than just a job. Really, the past year has been about immersing myself in the incredible community of sustainable farmers in the Midwest. A bit like farming, working for The Land Connection is a lifestyle.

  

As I sat down and started to list our accomplishments, I was overwhelmed by all that has happened in a year; from moving Central Illinois Farm Beginnings to Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery, to connecting new farmers to farmland, and expanding our reach into the community through our new website and our Farm Fresh Now series. And my favorite project of the year, interviewing and photographing Central Illinois Farm Beginnings students for our 2014 calendar and website profiles (more profiles coming in 2014!).  

 

And we are just getting started. We have big plans for The Land Connection in 2014, including expanding our farmer training and incubator program, offering marketing

workshops and social media starter kits for Illinois specialty crop farmers, training experts in the community to help farmers with legal issues, and building a new program to help people with farmland transitions.

 

All of this is possible because of our incredible community of farmers, people who support a vibrant and healthy food system in the Midwest, and our funders. So thank you! And we look forward to working with you in 2014. 

 

Happy New Year!  

 

Sincerely,

Cara Cummings
Executive Director 

Today is the last day of 2013, and your contribution, large or small, helps us plant seeds for a bright future in which many new farmers steward our soil, air, and water while growing healthy foods for our communities. 

Thank you for your generous support. We could not do this crucial work without you! 
Workshops, Field Days, and Grant Opportunities

 

Food and Farm Film Festival

January 25

Benedictine University Library

1500 N. 5th St.

Springfield, IL

 

Join us at this film festival focusing on our nation's food industry and how we can create a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable world.

The festival will feature five films from 2:00 - 8:30 p.m. in Benedictine Library's President Room auditorium and adjoining classroom. Film titles and descriptions will be announced in January. Admission is $7.00 per person. ($5.00 for Slow Food Springfield members.) Students with a student ID are free. More information is available at www.slowfoodspringfield.org


FARMERS MARKET WORKSHOPS 

January - March  

 

The Illinois Farmers Market Association is sponsoring four regional Farmers Market Workshops in early 2014.  The theme of these workshops is "Grow Yourself! Grow your market! Grow your business!"   They will include something for everyone: market managers, farmers, vendors and friends of the market.  Please share these dates with your farmers, vendors and farmers market advocates. For more information: http://ilfarmersmarkets.org

 

January 28      Rockford

February 20    Aurora, 

March 5          Mt. Vernon

March 27        Springfield   

 

Need another revenue stream?  Consider Chinese medicinal plants! 

Pioneers in Ecological Medicine Training

February 7-8, 2014

Chicago, IL

The two-day Pioneers in Ecological Medicine training will provide you with the knowledge needed to grow East Asian traditional medicinal plants.  Topics will include: 1) Selecting crops appropriate for your ecological setting; 2) Germination, propagation, and seed-saving; 3) Harvesting and processing; 4) Assessing and managing production risks; 4) Tools and equipment needed; 5) Records and calculations of production costs; 6) Quality control; 7) Marketing, legal and regulatory issues. For further information or to register visit: http://www.pemworkshop2014.squarespace.com/ .

 

Value-Added Producer Grant Program

Application Deadline February 24, 2014  

The USDA released a Notice of Funding Availability for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, which is designed to help producers establish new product lines, expand their marketing reach and exposure, and increase their income. USDA has allocated $10.5 million for the VAPG Program and sets maximum grant amounts at $75,000 for planning grants and $200,000 for working capital grants.  Grant recipients are also required to provide cash or eligible in-kind matching funds for at least the amount requested. More information can be found at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html.

Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference  

Jan. 8-10, 2014

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield, IL  

 

If you raise fruits or vegetables, this conference is for you! Breakout sessions cover diverse topics on growing and marketing fruit, vegetables, herbs, agritourism, organics, and emerging issues.  The conference agenda and registration information are here Pre-register now for the conference, and get reduced hotel rates. If you have questions, please contact Diane Handley at [email protected] or 309-557-2107.

  

MOSES Organic Farming Conference

February 27- March 1, 2014

Lacrosse, WI   

 

Registration for the 25th annual MOSES Conference has begun!  This three day event is the country's largest about organic and sustainable farming. Check out their website to learn about the sessions being offered this year and to register: http://mosesorganic.org/conference/

 

Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network (CISFN) Meeting 

March 6, 6-9pm 

Bloomington, IL     

The 3rd Annual Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network annual meeting will be held in the new farm to fork restaurant, Anju Above, created by the chefs at Station 220.  Our keynote speaker is Atina Diffley, an organic farmer-educator, activist, and author.

 

This Week on the TLC Blog . . . 
This happy cow at Kilgus Farmstead doesn't want or need to be fed antibiotics every day.
Terra writes about the antibiotics debate and recent FDA "guidance" that asks drug companies to take "growth-promotion" off the labels as a permitted use of antibiotics for livestock.
 
Antibiotics have been miraculous at saving lives from common and, until now, easily treatable, illnesses. These "wonder drugs" are indispensable to doctors and to veterinarians.  This is why we need strong, common-sense rules to ensure they are used similarly in both humans and livestock--that is, only when absolutely necessary to treat disease. The FDA has the responsibility and the power to end sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics in livestock, but the new "guidance" will not do so.

Get more information, and useful links, from Terra's article.  

Classifieds*
HAVE SOMETHING? NEED SOMETHING? 

Post your ad in the classifieds section of our new website! To have something listed in the Weekly Harvest, email us at [email protected] or call 
217-840-2128.

FARMING OPPORTUNITY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Tanglefoot Ranch is a 950 acre livestock, grain, and vegetable/fruit farm in Pope County, Illinois.  We have 500 acres of row crops, a 300 peach tree orchard, 1 raspberry hi-tunnel, 1 tomato hi-tunnel, hair sheep flock of 30 ewes, 6 fresh water shrimp ponds, and a 55 head beef cow herd.  We also lease our land to a local outfitter for bow deer hunting.  My brother and I are both in our late 60's and are looking to provide a young family the opportunity to get involved in a diversified farming operation in southern Illinois.  We are open to new enterprises that would utilize the resources that we have. E-mail [email protected] for more information.
 

PEACH ORCHARD IN CALHOUN COUNTY  

Looking to lease 750-tree Peach Orchard in Calhoun County, Illinois for the 2014 growing season. Must be willing to have Pesticide Applicator's License. Orchard experience preferred.  

Please contact Lori at 314.330.0060 for more information.

LAND FOR LEASE NEAR FORBES, MO
4.5 acres total, 2 pasture, 2.5 crops/fields. Rural water or well option. Great price for the right person. $100/month. Close to Forbes, MO. Just northwest of St. Joseph. Land has been vacant for at least 10 years. Owner wants land in production as an organic farm and will lease at low rate to attract the right farmer starting out that wants to build something from the ground up. Would prefer biodynamic. Long term lease possible. Contact John Stormberg at 512-444-5703.

CSA FARM MANAGER IN URBANA
Sola Gratia Farm, LLC, seek a farmer to manage a 4.5-acre Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. Experience in working on a CSA or vegetable farm in the Midwest is important. Preference is given to candidates who have expertise and experience running comparable farm operations. Also important is the ability to demonstrate being able to work with Board of Directors, developing a yearly growing plan, managing budgeted money, and achieving shareholder goals. Send cover letter and resume no later than close of business January 3, 2014 to Brian Sauder, 1001 S. Wright St. Room 7, Champaign, IL 61820 or electronically to [email protected]. Early applications encouraged. Call 217-649-1898 with any questions.

PAID APPRENTICES WANTED

PrairiErth Farm is looking for up to two apprentices for the 2014 season who are passionate about sustainable agriculture. Apprentices will learn how to operate a certified organic market farm providing produce through CSA, Farmers Market, Co-Ops, Grocery Stores, and Restaurants. Contact Hans Bishop at [email protected] or 309-824-0484.

PAID INTERNSHIP IN WATSEKA
Gray Farms is looking for an intern for the 2014 season. For more information, contact Marty Gray at [email protected].

PAID APPRENTICE IN FOWLER

Terripin Farms is looking for one apprentice/partner for the 2014 season close to Quincy. Learn and work on a csa/ diversified vegetable farm. Will include season long commitment bonus and percentage of farmers market sales.
Contact Jessica Whiston at [email protected]

 

ILLINOIS STEWARDSHIP ALLIANCE HIRING OUTREACH COORDINATOR

The Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for leading the outreach efforts of the organization, including but not limited to, media attention regarding conservation, local food and policy work. The outreach coordinator will help project leaders to ensure applicable groups, organizations and people know about ongoing projects through updating of Illinois Stewardship Alliance's website, our monthly electronic newsletter and social media sites. Additionally, the outreach coordinator will assist with organizing and implementing local food program work. The outreach coordinator will also be in charge of maintaining and assisting in growing Illinois Stewardship Alliance's membership. ISA is a state-wide non-profit organization that promotes environmentally sustainable, economically viable, socially just local food and farm systems through policy development, advocacy and education.

http://www.ilstewards.org/isa-hiring-outreach-coordinator/

TEN ACRES AVAILABLE NEAR WASHBURN, IL

Owner is looking for someone wanting to do organic/sustainable farming of fruit, vegetables, small livestock, and/or small grains. The acreage has a lot of road frontage, and 30-foot buffers from neighboring farms.  There's also a good-sized CRP acreage adjacent to the 10 acre parcel that will harbor beneficial insects. Lease arrangement to be determined between land owner and farmer. Contact Terra at The Land Connection for more information at 217-840-2128.

 

*Have these ads been useful to you?  If so, please consider an end-of-year donation to express your appreciation!


 HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! 

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