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January 6, 2015
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In this Weekly Harvest:    
newyearTerra Looks Forward and Back . . . and Forward!

As we pass over the invisible, man-made line that proclaims a new year, I recall that January is named after the Roman God with one head looking forward and the other back. Janus is the god of gates and doorways, beginnings and endings, and so symbolizes transitions, especially from past to future.  

 

Which is exactly where I find myself today, as I shift my focus from my past work at The Land Connection, to all of the current and future writing projects that have been simmering away on the back burner these many years. Although I will no longer be on staff at The Land Connection, I will still be very connected with the people and the work of the organization, as all of my writing and other projects will be on food and farm topics close to my heart, and close to the mission of The Land Connection.

That's a little glimpse looking forward.  Looking back, over the 13 years since I founded The Land Connection, there is much to be proud of and thankful for. As this infographic about The Land Connection's impact just over the past 12 months shows, our programming has led to more farmers stewarding the soil and raising healthy foods, more mentors assisting new farmers, and more landowners finding ways to ensure that their land continues to be healthy and productive. And behind all those accomplishments are people, many wonderful people who give of their time, talent, and treasure to ensure that the work of The Land Connection will continue year after year.

 

Timely and thoughtful succession planning is as important for organizations as it is for farm families, and we've been laying the groundwork for our leadership transition since we hired Cara Cummings over two years ago. With her years of program and management experience, expertise in fund development, design, and communications, and exceptional organizational and planning skills, alongside the talents and skills of our stellar and expanded staff, The Land Connection's future is bright.  

 

And not only do we have a strong staff, but in the past nine months The Land Connection's board of directors completed a smooth leadership transfer from founding board member Martha Cook to new board president Katie Kenney and a newly expanded board of directors.  In 2014, The Land Connection staff and board engaged in strategic planning to set the stage for 2015 and beyond, and will be sharing those exciting developments in the coming months and years. 

  
Which brings us to the present. And to the wonderful winter keepers featured on the January page of The Land Connection's Year of Seasonal Eating Calendar. Like fine wines, som
e heirloom winter squashes and root vegetables develop deeper, richer flavors the longer they're stored (up to a point, of course), perhaps looking back to their time in the rich soil, and looking forward to their reincarnation in your kitchen. So check out Cara's photo and recipe for roasted winter root vegetables, and take a moment to savor the season, polar vortex and all, appreciating the past while moving confidently into the future. Together we will make it a good one! 

 
Terra Brockman 

 
 
WorkshopsWorkshops, Field Days, and Grant Opportunities
 

Workshops from The Land Connection

  

Farm Labor Management 
February 14, 2015
10:00 am - 5:00 pm 
Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
Champaign, IL 
The management of your work crew can make the difference between a successful growing season and complete frustration. It takes advance planning and clear communication, and is different for each farm. Our workshop will provide tools, best practices, and advice from fellow farmers to bring home and start planning for the 2015 growing season. We will answer questions on retention, delegation, wages, and labor laws with Springfield based attorney Rebecca Osland. With presentations, facilitated discussion, and group work that will provide resources and allow growers to share their struggles and successes, this day is sure to help you be a better boss. Lunch is included and registration costs $50.

Seed Starting   
February 15, 2015
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
Sustainable Student Farm at UIUC 
Tempted by all the seed catalogs? We will be hosting a hands-on workshop on how to start seeds that is perfect for large home gardens and small scale producers. Led by Zack Grant, from U of I Extension, workshop participants will learn the basics of germinating seeds, planting for different seed types, and caring for young seedlings. Finally, participants will plant their own trays of seeds, and will go home with a six-pack of planted vegetable seeds and the knowledge to start their own seedlings for the coming growing season. $20/per person. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. 
 

Mushrooms for Market Production

February 22
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery

David LaBauer, mycologist at the University of Illinois, will be leading this field day. From the basics of what it takes to make mushrooms happy, to how to select a tree to use as the ideal substrate, to innoculation and encouraging fruiting, this day will cover all you need to know to produce mushrooms for market. Attendees will go home with four 4 foot logs that have been innoculated with spores.
Registration is $75 and includes all materials and lunch. This is intended for small production farmers. Register online here.

 

Season Extension Workshop
March 2-4, 2015
Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
Join us for one, two or three days of a season extension workshop to be held at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery in Champaign on March 2-4, 2015. You will leave the class armed with resources and prepared to implement season extension practices on your farm this season. The first day will be spent learning the essentials of season extension from farmers and other professionals in a classroom setting. The second day will be spent visiting farms that have made season extension a vital component of their success. The third day will be spent in a hands-on demonstration in high tunnels at the Sustainable Student Farm at UIUC. The cost of the workshop is $375 before February 20, and $425 through February 27, which includes all meals and materials. You may also choose to attend just one or two days of the workshop. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. You can register on The Land Connection's website, or by calling 217-840-2128. 
 
Organic Grain Transition Seminar 
March 10, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
Champaign County Farm Bureau 
Grow grains for the organic and non-GMO products consumers want! 
Gain the confidence you need to transition grain-growing enterprises on your farm. At this seminar, learn from the experience of other farmers who have transitioned to organic and non-GMO crops. You will be able to select ideal alternative grain crop choices for your farm and markets, plan for soil fertilitity and pest management with less or no chemical additions, and find out how to get the best price for your premium product.  Farm service providers and others who work with farmland will also benefit. $10 before 2/15, $125 after. Lunch included, scholarships available.

Small Engine Maintenance and Operation 
March 29, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
Richland Community College 
Learn how your farm equipment really works! Small engines are of major importance to small farms, and this workshop will help you learn about their operation and maintenance from experts at Richland Community College in Decatur, IL. $50 per person. 

  

Other Upcoming Events

 

Market at the Square CSA fair

January 21

3:00-5:00 p.m.

Urbana Civic Center

At the First Annual Market at the Square CSA Fair, you'll be able to learn about farmers and their farms, their products and programs, and select a CSA share or club that best meets your needs! Why is it happening in the middle of winter? For farmers, this is the time when they're deep into planning and right before they begin their planting. Some farms accept new members throughout the course of the year, as well. We encourage consumers to connect with farmers directly to learn about their specific parameters around sign-up.

There will also be educational information about local food, free samples and recipes, a Sprouts at the Market activity table, music, and more.

 

Slow Food Springfield Film Festival

January 24

A film festival for everyone interested in learning about and supporting local food systems is planned for Saturday, January 24, 2015 in Foundation Hall at the Old State Capitol (Level 2) in Springfield from 2:00 - 8:30 p.m. The films are:  

Flow: For Love of Water (2:00-3:30 p.m.)
Top 10 Finalists from the 2014 Real Food Media Contest (4:30-5:30 p.m.)
Growing Cities: A film about urban farming in America (6:15-8:30 p.m.)
 
  
Admission is $7.00 per person ($5.00 for Slow Food Springfield members). Students with a student ID are free. "We're pleased to announce that this year refreshments and dinner will be provided by Bear Creek Farm & Ranch for purchase during the festival," says Ann Hamilton, chapter leader for Slow Food Springfield. More information is available at www.slowfoodspringfield.org 

 or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Educator, Local Foods System and Small Farms at 217-782-4617 or [email protected] 

 

January 20, February 4, February 18 

For an investment of $20 and seven hours, farmers can feed their curiosity and improve improve productivity on their farms. Local agricultural producers and resource experts will share information and insights on soil health improvement options, cover crop success, and wise nutrient management techniques at three unique USDA seminars. Learn more and register here. 


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.   
 
 

Doing Good By Eating Well and Growing Great Food

March 12

6:30 p.m.
Fondulac District Library 
400 Richland Street, East Peoria, IL  
The Brockman Family shares their expertise in growing organic foods.
Terra kicks off the evening with a consumer focus, introducing The Land
Connection.  Next, home growers learn from the methods and advice 
shared by Teresa, the owner of Sunny Lane Farm, specializing in fruits and herbs.
Learn how "good taste = nutrition".  Learn more by calling 309-699-3917. No registration necessary.

  

blThis Week on the TLC Blog...

 Repetitions and Resolutions

 

The new year has begun and fittingly, we have had what seems like the first sticking snow of this winter. So of course, with the freshly whitened ground and the constant struggle of remembering to write 2015 at the end of every date, a new year, new resolutions, it feels like a time of shift and change. And yet, when it comes down to it, it's not.

 

No, the beginning of a new year really marks a time of repetition. It is January again, it is winter again and here we are again. Of course there have been changes, but we measure them against what we recognize as being the same...

 

agnewsAgriculture in the News:
Something you should know:
Deadlines for Rural Energy for America Program grants have been announced! These grants fund sustainable and renewable energy programs for farms. Learn more here.

Something you should do: 

Stop by Common Ground Food Co-op tonight at 7pm to listen to Shea Belahi, our first incubator farmer, share about her experiences in Turin, Italy for the Terra Madre Slow Food Conference.

Something to be happy about:

A panel that advises the Department of Agriculture is recommending that the government tells us not only what foods are better for our own health, but for the environment. Read more about it here.
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.

 

INTERNSHIP - COOK FARM

We raise mixed produce for a CSA, farmer's markets and wholesale customers.  We'll work side-by-side from seed to sale in hopes that you finish the season with a solid grasp of what it takes to run a small farm. Interns are expected to work quickly and efficiently in good and bad weather, to ask questions, and to learn from mistakes. Intern will receive a monthly stipend and food from the farm as well as shared housing for the right candidate. Full-time and part-time positions available. Contact Dylan at [email protected] or click here for more information!


LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER WILL ENHANCE YOUR OUTREACH

A picture is worth a thousand words -- especially when it's a picture of your mouthwatering fruit, vegetables, eggs, or other farm product.  Winter is a great time to upgrade your website and other outreach materials. I'm an experienced photographer passionate about local food and farms. Learn more here!

 
FARMLAND AVAILABLE FOR VEGETABLE FARMERS

We own and run a small farm 15 minutes outside of Springfield, and are looking for someone to partner with who will run vegetable production. Right now, we raise Cattle, Hogs, Goats, Chickens and Turkeys. I have plenty on my plate with working off the farm, and running the livestock side, building barns, fixing equipment, etc.  We are looking for someone able to take on the vegetable side of the operation, and are open to working out a deal to benefit everyone.  This would be a great opportunity for someone who doesn't have land, but wants to farm. For more information, contact Jim at [email protected].


OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW FARMERS

Antiquity Oaks LLC assists new and aspiring Central Illinois farmers, whether they want to have a market garden, grow mushrooms, produce honey or maple syrup, or raise animals for meat, milk, or fiber. In addition to having classes and internship programs, we will have partnership opportunities for those with education and experience who want to start their own farm businesses on our farmland.  For more information, read more here http://nblo.gs/122W7p  and contact [email protected]
 
SEEKING ORGANIC FARMER/FARM MANAGER
Join the most interesting and lucrative farming sector in the country today - Organic Farming! Ostfriesland Farms owns and operates 300 acres of prime farmland in Central Illinois. We are looking for an industrious, self-starter to help farm and manage all aspects of our growing organic row crop farm operation. The successful candidate will have an Ag (or related) degree, good working knowledge of farm machinery, an interest in learning about organic farming, and work well without supervision. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate. We offer a competitive salary, bonus, profit-sharing, & benefits. Get in on this ground floor position. Send your resume to: Ostfriesland Farms 39W973 Crosscreek Ln, St Charles IL 60175 or [email protected] 

SEEKING EXPERIENCED FARMER/FARM FAMILY FOR 500 ACRE DIVERSIFIED FARM ON THE GARDEN PENINSULA OF UPPER MICHIGAN

The farm is located in Delta County near Garden, MI.   There is an updated four bedroom house on the property. 

The local school is excellent, and there is good hunting and fishing nearby.  
We are looking for an experienced farmer to care for the land, woods, animals, buildings, and equipment as if they were their own.  The farm includes cattle, chickens, fruit, grain crops, and syrup trees. For a detailed list of responsibilities, contact [email protected].

 

 

CREW LEADER, PRAIRIERTH FARM

PrairiErth Farm is a ten-acre certified organic farm in Central Illinois looking for a crew leader. The crew leader's main duties will be:

-Collaborating with the farmers to lead the crew through daily and weekly tasks

-Keeping the crew on track 

-Setting the pace for speed and accuracy in the field

-Maintaining a positive attitude 

-Praising and giving constructive criticism to workers/volunteers.

We are looking for someone who has had two seasons experience working on an organic farm and experience leading a crew. View the full job listing at on our classifieds page or contact Hans at [email protected] 

 

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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