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October 27, 2015
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In this Weekly Harvest:    
toppstory Small Dairy Startup


If you have thought about starting a small dairy in the Midwest, this workshop is for you. Set at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, Illinois' first licensed farmstead goat dairy, you will hear detailed presentations on herd management, marketing, food safety regulations and more from farmowners Wes Jarrell and Leslie Cooperband, as well as Mark Hostetler, farm manager at Traderspoint Creamery in Zionsville, Indiana. You will also be able to ask your pressing questions of these small dairy experts, see the inner workings of a successful goat dairy and cheeserie, interact with the tools and equipment of the trade, and taste a sampling of the farmers' products. You will leave the workshop with a deeper understanding of the resources and skills needed to start a small dairy in the Midwest, including basic knowledge of animal husbandry, dairy processing, food safety, infrastructure needs, and marketing.  

  
toppstory Order Your 2016 TLC Calendar Now!
The year has flown by, and believe it or not, 2016 is almost here! Luckily, The Land Connection is prepared. Our traditional TLC Calendars are here and ready to adorn your wall! 

This year's calendar features even more gorgeous, mouth-watering photos of dishes made with seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients. As always, the calendar is full of farmer annotations, holidays and tips for what is in season when. Order the new 2016 TLC Calendar on our website and get some early gift-buying done for the holiday season... before we run out! 


  
mktMarket Corner
Pumpkin Oobleck from the Orpheum
We ain't afraid of no rain! 

The Champaign Farmers' Market is wrapping up its first season in this spooky Halloween week, and Central Lean Meats is having a bone sale! They'll have buy two get one free pork "scare" ribs, as well as beef back ribs, bone-in or boneless beef short ribs, and chicken wings, not to mention great end-of-market deals on beef brisket, pork shoulder roast, pumpkin pie cheddar bratwurst, calves' liver, and sausage. 

Stop by and thank our farmers who have braved a rough growing season to bring fresh produce out to you every Tuesday. We'll be joined by Avery Farms with squash, apples, and more. Heirloominous Farms will bring enough garlic to keep the vampires at bay, and we'll also be joined by Sola Gratia Farm, East Place Produce, Brackett Farm, and Autumn Berry Inspired. Illinois Willows will also be there with fantastical fall decorations. Help us show these steadfast vendors our appreciation and sell out the market!

"Farmer Frank" with Mr. Aubergine
We've got wonderful activities for the whole family. The Orpheum Children's Science Museum will be bringing Pumpkin Oobleck, Frankenworms, experiments with dry ice, and a certain tall green monster who we just might recruit for our wonderful farmer training programs. Bring the kids for a healthy scavenger hunt, and don't miss our special market jack o'lanterns. Bring your own carved pumpkins for a jack o'lantern contest at dusk. The U of I Extension will also bring final fall treats with Peter Pumpkin Squares. And don't forget to come take a picture with Farmer Frank! Come Eat, Shop, and Be Scary at our last 2015 market!

This will also be the final week of Link matching for the season. We'll double Link benefits up to $20, so come and stock up for the off-season!


Check out the Market Map to find which vendors will be where this week!

Farm Fresh Now! Free Recipe: Celeriac
There's nothing wrong with family traditions, but it's easy and fun to give those old favorites new life with fresh, locally raised foods. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to choose from autumn's bountiful cornucopia of locally grown foods from salad greens to root vegetables. 

And there's even more to be thankful for, because local foods, when grown without synthetic chemicals, enhance our personal health, the health of our farmers, their farms, and our communities. And the virtuous circle expands as local organic foods benefit the soil, air, and water upon which life depends. 

Read more about how you can eat local this fall holiday season on the
Farm Fresh Now! Recipe page!

Visit us at the Market today to pick up this recipe or get the complete set from our online store !


WorkshopsWorkshops, Field Days, and Grant Opportunities
THE LAND CONNECTION WORKSHOPS

Small Dairy Workshop
November 15, 1 - 5 p.m.
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Hear presentations from local experts in dairy production, see the inner workings of a successful goat dairy, and taste samples of the products of the farmers they are meeting. Presenters from Traders Point Creamery and Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, will provide valuable insight and answer your questions. Participants will leave the workshop with a deeper understanding of the resources and skills needed to start a small dairy. Topics include animal husbandry, dairy processing, food safety, infrastructure needs, and marketing. Register online for $75.
 
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Steam Sterilization Demonstrations
October 20 and 28
University of Illinois Extension
Watch and learn about Steam Sterilization methods to control: insect, weed, and disease pests in small farm settings. Jeff Kindhart, Senior Research Specialist at Dixon Springs Research Center, will lead the demonstration. Learn more and register here..

SARE Call for Grant Proposals
Several Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) grants are currently accepting proposals through late October in the North Central Region (NCR). Project areas include youth education, farmer rancher and youth education. See the SARE website for details.


blThis Week on the TLC Blog...
Big Gains for Small Grains
Incredible things can happen when you pay a visit to a place like Spence Farm.
 
I took the above picture during a field day at Spence Farm this past summer. After hearing from the Travis family, several local chefs who buy their grains, and other expert growers during a thorough tour of the fields where the Travises grow grains like rye, barley, flint corn, and ancient varieties of wheat, a tour of their mill room was announced. Having only seen two other grain mills in my life, I hopped at the chance...

agnewsAgriculture in the News:
Something you should know
Ag lenders prefer farmers who have a solid business plan like the one students graduate with after taking Farm Beginnings. Read more here.

Something you should do:
Join Illinois Stewardship Alliance in recognizing the creative, innovative and pioneering local food activities in Illinois. Nominate your favorite organization for the Golden Beet Award! Learn how here. 

Something to be happy about: 
This great interview with Wendell Berry: Read the full interview here. 

HAVE SOMETHING? NEED SOMETHING? 
You can post your ad or search for more listings 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.


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 and contact [email protected]
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!
               


          


   









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