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November 11, 2014
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In this Weekly Harvest:    

 

milkStart Your Farm Transition


Farm transition and succession are complicated topics, financially and emotionally, and we often hear people say, "I know I should think about our farm's future, but I'm just not sure how to get started."
 

To help you start this conversation, Terra will be leading a farmland transition roundtable in Springfield on Tuesday, December 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 

The timing couldn't be better as the harvest is over, and many of us will be seeing 

extended family members who are stakeholders in the future of family farms over the holiday season. You might gather initial thoughts and feelings from family members at Thanksgiving, attend the roundtable in early December, and have a better idea of the direction to go in the new year.
 

The farmland roundtable is for people who are starting to explore farm transition or succession scenarios, but anyone at any stage in a farm succession is welcome to attend, share, and learn from others. Workshop attendees will learn about topics ranging from clarifying your values and goals, to using charitable giving to reduce estate taxes, to dealing with situations where there are no on-farm heirs to take over the family farm.   
 

The roundtable will be held at the U of I Extension office at 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield, IL, 62707. You can register online here.
 

Learn more about the topic of farm transition by listening to Terra's interview on WGLT radio,"Uncomfortable Conversation: Handing the Land Down"  or visiting WJBC radio's article about past roundtables. 


 

  

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fundraising
Nourishing The Land Connection
As the year comes to an end, we want to remind you that The Land Connection relies on donations from people like you to provide programs and workshops to the community and scholarships to our Central Illinois Farm Beginnings students.  

Your generosity allows us to continue working towards our common vision of a future where healthy, local food is readily available to all, where people know where their food comes from, and where farmers are appreciated for all they do for our communities.

Please consider making a tax-exempt donation to The Land Connection at thelandconnection.org/donate, or make a check out to The Land Connection and send to:

The Land Connection
505 W. University Ave. Suite 203
Champaign, IL 61820

If you wish, you may contribute specifically to our 
Central Illinois Farm Beginnings Scholarship Fund.

Thank you for helping new farmers get started, and for supporting our local farms.
WorkshopsWorkshops, Field Days, and Grant Opportunities

2015 Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals 

November 20, 2014 

The 2015 North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals is now open.
Farmers and ranchers in the North Central region may submit grant proposals to explore sustainable agriculture solutions to their farm problems.  Sustainable agriculture is good for the environment, profitable, and socially responsible. Projects should emphasize research or education/demonstration.  

Potential applicants with questions can contact Joan Benjamin, Associate Regional Coordinator and Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 573-681-5545 or 800-529-1342.
 
Putting Small Acres to Work
December 6, 2014
9:00am-4:00pm
NIU Rockford Conference Center
8500 E. State Street, Rockford, IL

Do you have a few extra acres you'd like to put to good use? Whether it's an old farmstead, a fallow green space, or a great big yard you'd rather not mow, you probably have some ideas about what it could become. This workshop offered by U of I Extension Boone County, is here to help you get started converting a few acres to plant or animal production. Outreach professionals from both Illinois and Wisconsin will provide the expertise.

 
$40 per person (includes all program materials & lunch). Please register by December 1, 2014 to ensure adequate space and materials. Register online here or call 815-544-3710.

Small Farm Webinar Series

Beginning January, 2015

Presented by University of Illinois Extension

The Small Farm Webinar Series is a weekly educational series starting next year for the small farm community and provides practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois. This series of online events is aimed at providing small farm producers with a look at how leading practices in production, management, and marketing enable operations to improve profitability and sustainability. Learn more here.

 
Whole Farm Technical Assistance Program   
January 2015
Pembroke Farming Family Association 
Pembroke Farming Family in Kankakee is offering technical assistance to Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producers (experienced farmers and new farmer training participants). The program covers production, marketing, and financial aspects of the farm business process, including assessing your resources; budgets and record keeping. Established farmers who are Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producers can improve their business planning and management skills by participating in this program. For more information, visit their website.  
 
Free Social Media Marketing Webinars and Starter Kits 
Online all the time  
We know farmers are busy all the time--that's why we are creating FREE social media content to help you more effectively market your products to consumers. We have also recorded a webinar series on our website and YouTube channel so you can watch and learn on your own time. Visit our website to sign up to receive the starter kits and watch the webinars. 
 
blThis Week on the TLC Blog...

 Baking Local

 

This past Saturday afternoon was chilly, and although the last of the garden beds waited to be mulched, the garlic that needed to be planted sat on my counter, and the chicken's water was still at risk of freezing, I decided to wait for a warmer window to do my chores. The blustery day called for the smell of herbs and the warming of the kitchen by cooking all day.

 

My inspiration was plentiful, as a luxury had landed in my hands that morning via a home delivery of vegetables from Heirloominous farm. I also had Illinois grown ginger from River to River Farm--meaning there would be free flowing ginger tea all day as I cooked...

 

partiesThe Land Connection Holiday Happy Hours
Celebrate another year of farmers, farming and local food.

-Big Grove Tavern, Champaign-

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Big Grove Tavern 
1 E. Main Street
Champaign, Illinois

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

$40.00 per person

Price includes hors d'oeuvres 
and one drink ticket.

-Uncommon Ground, Chicago-

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Uncommon Ground
1401 W. Devon Ave
Chicago, Illinois 

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

$40 per person
Price includes hors d'oeuvres 
and one drink ticket.

Visit Us Online
Tickets for both events can be purchased on our website thelandconnection.org/tlc-store or checks can be made payable to The Land Connection, 505 W. University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820.
agnewsAgriculture in the News:
Something you should know:
Read about how this year's election results will affect farm policy initiatives in Congress here.

Something you should do: 
Sign the petition for a National Food Policy that will transform our food system to ensure healthy, sustainably grown food for all. 
 
HAVE SOMETHING? NEED SOMETHING? 
You can post your ad in the classifieds section of our website. To have something listed in the Weekly Harvest, email us at [email protected] or call 217-840-2128.

 

FARM FOR SALE IN ST. JOSEPH
Small Farm,8.33 acres, for sale in St. Joseph, Illinois for $200,000. Three bedroom, two bathroom turn of the last century farmhouse, in good condition. Natural gas, three year old roof, new pump. Two pastures, small converted barn. Seven acres in production, two fenced pastures, chicken yard. Three driveways onto main county road. Good school system, near major fishing lake. Tractor with front loader, grader, and mowing deck.
E-mail [email protected] for more information. 

 

LOOKING FOR LAND NEAR CHICAGO

I would love a piece of land on which I can grow tree crops in or near Chicago. 

My goal is to start my own permaculture-based organic farm within the next two years, and to eventually incorporate educational empowerment programs for youth who lack parents. I plan to cultivate, wild-craft, and forage for nutrient-dense foods and medicinal plants on my farm, and ultimately create a healing farmstay retreat which the youth will help run. Contact Katharine Egan at 224-392-2275 or [email protected].

 

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