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| | Season Extension with Blue Moon Farm |
Are you interested in extending your growing season, or in winter farming? Our Season Extension workshop is coming up soon, and Lorien Carsey of Blue Moon Farm is the first to spill the beans on some of the secrets to extending your farm's production season and getting the most out of each year. We toured the hoop houses of Blue Moon and heard straight from the source what it takes to grow more produce in harsh weather conditions. So take a peek at our new video to get a behind the scenes view.
And sign up for our three day Season Extension workshop, that will take place October 12-14, to learn more about the essential practices of season extension, tour successful farms, and have your questions answered by the experts. Registration is available for the full course, or for individual days. View the agenda online here, and sign up for the workshop today.
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Central Illinois Farm Beginnings: Registration is open!
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Whether you're interested in growing fresh fruits and vegetables for local markets, turkeys and geese for the holidays, or ancient grains for regional markets, the Central Illinois Farm Beginnings staff, farmer-instructors, and mentors can help you jump-start your farm business.
During this year-long course, you will build a sound business plan, get on-farm experience, and connect with many successful local farmers during each seminar and through the field day and mentorship components.
Over two-thirds of our graduates are currently farming, heading up successful small businesses that generate jobs, steward Illinois farmland, and meet the growing consumer demand for high-quality, locally grown food. We invite you to join them!
The course begins on October 17th! To apply, complete the online application and submit the $100 application fee. For more information, contact Jeff Hake at jeff@thelandconnection.org.
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 Market Corner
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This week at the Champaign Farmers' Market we welcome back Schottman Sweet Corn. You'll also find garlic, yukon gold potatoes, candy onions, pattypan squash, as well as green and wax romano beans from Avery Farms. BRB Farm will have tomatoes, eggplant, beets, and arugula. We'll also have plenty of herbs, greens, cucumbers, zucchini, and summer squash.
Sitka Salmon Shares will be joining us for their final market this season. Be sure to stop by and stock up on king and coho salmon, ling cod and more. We've got the best Sitka prices in town, so don't miss out!
Stewart's Artisan Breads will have sourdough and yeasted bread made with organic flour, in addition to their great lineup of bagels and granola. You'll also find baguettes, pastries and desserts from Pekara, Hopscotch, and Sugar by Sarah.
Illinois Willows will also be back with bright, cheery sunflowers, lilies, mixed bouquets and zinnias.
There will be plenty of fun for the kids as well. Andrew Heathwaite will be on hand with music and instruments for children to play along, and Kalika Shapiro will be doing face painting. We'll also have our Farmers' Market Kids' Table with bubbles, jumpropes, chalk and hula hoops!
Don't forget to stop by the Land Connection tent at the southern end of the market and show off all the beautiful produce and other delights you found at our Market Haul Photo Booth. Post your pictures with the hashtag #tlcmarket to help spread the word about our offerings.
Check out the Market Map to find which vendors will be where this week!
Farm Fresh Now! Free Recipe: Okra
Even though okra has become a common sight at mid-summer farmers markets, it is still a vegetable that gets few raves - mainly because of the perceived slime factor. And yes, if you cook the living daylights out of it, there will be a thickening effect, which is precisely what it has been used for in soups and gumbos.
But when you get very fresh okra, and cook it lightly and quickly, there is no slickness. Millions of people all over Africa, India, the Middle East, the Caribbean, South America, and the Balkans enjoy okra cooked in many ways, and you will too.
Read more on the Farm Fresh Now! page.
Visit us at the Market today to pick up this recipe or get the complete set from our online store !
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Workshops, Field Days, and Grant Opportunities
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THE LAND CONNECTION WORKSHOPS
Lettuce Wow You! Cooking Class Series
Thursdays, May - October
Common Ground Food Co-op
The Land Connection, Urbana's Market at the Square, and Common Ground are all collaborating to offer a series of cooking classes using farm fresh ingredients! Every other Thursday starting May 14, the class will feature a local, in-season ingredient and show participants what they can do with it in the kitchen. Registration is $5 per class and you can register online on Common Ground's website. Attend 6 classes and receive a FREE Farm Fresh Now! Recipe Card box set!
Agritourism Farmer Training Intensive
August 1-2
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, Champaign
Agritourism offers farmers the opportunity to bring the public onto their farms and tell the story of their products. At the same time, it can be a powerful, untapped revenue stream, but there are many barriers to success that can be difficult to overcome. The Land Connection will host an intensive workshop on agritourism from August 1-2 at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery in Champaign, Illinois, which was named an Illinois Agriculture Agri-Tourism Leader for 2013. Register online here.
Cut Flower Workshop
September 13
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Illinois Willows, Seymour, IL
Fresh, local, flowers are in high demand, as they pop up at weddings, at farmers' markets, and in CSAs. Learn the basics of production, processing, and marketing from three local experts: Joan Jach of Old Town Flowers, Maggie Taylor of Delight Flower CSA, and Kent Miles of Illinois Willows. $35 registration. Register online here.
PrairiErth Farm Field Day
September 8
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
2047 2100 St. Atlanta, IL 61723
The field day at PrairiErth Farm will showcase the farm's soil health, diverse landscape, and crop rotations. Join us for tours and presentations in the morning, and in the afternoon for one-on-one farmer consultations. Register here.
Farm Dreams Workshops
September 14, Champaign, Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
All workshops are from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Farm Dreams is a short workshop in which participants meet experienced sustainable farmers, learn about successful farm enterprises, and ask questions about local farm businesses. Farm Dreams covers resource assessment, goal setting, financial planning, and marketing options. New this year: each workshop will be held on a farm and include a farm tour. Registration is $20 per person. Register online and find more dates here!
Season Extension Workshop
October 12 - 14
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, Champaign, IL
This three day workshop at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery will prepare you to implement season extension practices on your farm. Day 1 covers the essentials of season extension, with instruction from farmers and other professionals in a classroom setting. Day 2 is a tour of local farms that use season extension as a vital component of their success. Day 3 is a hands-on demonstration in high tunnels at a nearby farm. Registration is $300 through July 19 and $350 through October 7. This includes all meals and materials. You may also choose to attend just one or two days of the workshop. Space is limited to 25 participants, so advanced registration is required.
Central Illinois Farm Beginnings
Classes Start October 17
If you want to plan and launch your own sustainable farm business, register now for our year-long, farmer-led program. Some scholarships are available. Visit our website for more information and apply online!
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
Mt. Zion - A Farmers Market at The Art Center
135 S. Henderson St., Mt. Zion, IL 62549
Thursdays 3:30 to 6:30 pm
June 4, 2015 through October 15, 2015
The Auri Fresh Farmers' Market is an organization founded to give growers and producers of Illinois agricultural commodities, other farm-related products and local artists alternative marketing opportunities, and to improve the variety, freshness, taste and nutritional value of produce available in the Mt. Zion/Decatur area.
Local Flavors Lunches and Dinners
1st Tuesday and 3rd Thursday, May - October
Springfield, Champaign, Bloomington, Peoria
The Local Flavors Farm-to-Table Restaurant series opens new markets for small farmers; gives restaurants an opportunity to source locally and receive high quality products; and gives YOU a chance to support local farmers, local restaurants, and the local economy. Find a complete schedule of events and restaurants on the Buy Fresh Buy Local website.
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This Week on the TLC Blog...
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 Un Beau Jour au Marché
"As you may know, last week was Bastille Day! And we had a celebration at the Champaign Market..."
Stephanie gives us a little photo tour of the fun and activities of last weeks Bastille Day market!
See the rest of Stephanie's blog here!
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Agriculture in the News:
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Something you should know:
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HAVE SOMETHING? NEED SOMETHING?
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Employment Opportunities:
FARM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND FARM MANAGER
The Liberty Prairie Foundation seeks a dynamic and versatile professional to fill the new position of Farm Business Development Center Director and Farm Manager. Major responsibilities include the management and development of the Farm Business Development Center incubator program and oversight of all aspects of our certified organic, sustainably managed farm. For more information about the position, click here.
ONLINE MARKET AND MINI-STORE MANAGER
Successful applicant will support the continuing growth of the Macomb Food Co-op by managing market activities, and communicating and working closely with producers, owners, and volunteers. DUTIES: Administer mini-store (be present during business hours, assist customers, keep store clean, maintain inventory, supervise volunteers); administer online market (receive deliveries, prepare orders, oversee weekly distribution); navigate Local Food Marketplace software (add and manage producers, products and orders); identify and pursue new producers, determining product needs and advising producers accordingly; submit written sales and activity reports bi-monthly to Co-op Board of Directors. REQUIREMENTS: Word, Excel and Google Drive experience; demonstrated interpersonal skills; ability to work independently; supervisory and/or managerial experience desirable. TERM: 35 hour/week for one year, with possibility of renewal. SALARY AND BENEFITS: $12/hour; 2 weeks paid vacation. LOCATION: 211 S. McArthur St., Macomb, IL. Applications are available at http://macombfoodcoop.net or on the Macomb Food Coop Facebook page. Submit applications and resumes in Word or PDF format to info@macombfoodcoop.net by July 8.
FARMERS MARKET MANAGER WANTED
The Logan Square Farmers Market is looking for a new farmers' market manager. The market is open to the public on Sunday each week, from May or June through March, at an indoor or outdoor location, depending on the season. The market manager is primarily responsible for all the activities necessary to produce and operate the market. These include, but are not limited to, planning for and widely promoting via the internet and the market website; assuring that all city and other procedural requirements are met; maintaining all market records; recruiting and retaining vendors; attracting customers; recruiting and supervising volunteers; and overseeing operation of the market on site during the season. Farmers Market Manager is a regular part time position. Please send letter of interest to Paul Levin at paul@loganchamber.org.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Spence Farm Foundation Internship
Program Development Intern
Cultivating a Healthy Food System through Education. That is what Spence Farm Foundation (SFF) is all about. We believe that by helping to connect the key elements of a healthy food system to one another-farmer, chef, food industry, healthcare providers, educators, students and food citizens-supports sustainable production and leads to personal well-being. We have assisted new farms, developed education programs for professional chefs and culinary students, and educated students and professionals alike in the value of responsibly produced food. This is accomplished through professional Culinary Arts program, workshops, speaking engagements, tours, and providing hoop houses for high schools.
Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Spence Farm Foundation (SFF), Interns will provide assistance to the core programs and administrative functions of SFF. This position provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit operations and project management at an innovative, impactful organization.
FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER AND EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
Land, Equipment, and Other:
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 jnk1203@consolidated.net.
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 and contact deborahwrites@gmail.com
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 terra@thelandconnection.org.
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Thank you to all the sponsors, donors, and supporters that make the daily operations and programs of The Land Connection possible. We couldn't do it without you!
Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal
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