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December 29, 2015
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In this Weekly Harvest:    
toppstory Wholesale Success with Atina Diffley
 
The responsibility for maintaining food safety often falls on the shoulders of farmers. Upcoming regulatory changes will make it even more important that producers know how to sell their goods both safely and cost-effectively. 

Atina Diffley, a Minnesota farmer and the author of Turn Here Sweet Corn, will lead our Wholesale Success Workshop in Champaign on February 2. Her workshop is designed to show you the problems of food safety, but also to empowers you to maximize quality while addressing food safety concerns. Concrete examples and hands-on learning will help you tackle regulations in your farm operation. The Land Connection is pleased to partner with FamilyFarmed and Atina Diffley to present this impactful and timely workshop.

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Champaign, IL

  
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! 

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

Transitioning to Organic Grains:  A Seminar on Organic Field Crop Production & Marketing
Dorr Township Hall, Woodstock, Illinois
January 13, 2016 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
At this all-day seminar you will learn from the experience of other farmers who have transitioned to organic and non-GMO crops. Our experts will teach you how to select ideal alternative grain crop choices for your farm and markets, plan for soil fertility and pest management with fewer synthetic inputs, navigate the organic transition and certification, and find out how to get the best price for your premium product. Farm service providers, farm managers, and farmland owners will also benefit. Register online here.
 
Wholesale Success Workshop
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, Champaign, IL
February 2, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This workshop prepares specialty crop growers for success in wholesale markets with the guidance of one of the region's foremost experts. Farmer, author, and consultant Atina Diffley leads this all-day workshop that helps farmers tackle the complex issues of selling to restaurants, stores, and other large buyers, such as food safety, sorting and packaging, marketing, and post-harvest handling. Register online here.

Seed Starting Workshop
University of Illinois Sustainable Student Farm, Urbana, IL
February 7, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m
Farmers and gardeners who start their own seeds can save money and have far greater control over what they produce. Join us for a three-hour workshop of presentations and hands-on work that shows how a high-production farm grows happy, healthy seedlings. Growers of all kinds will benefit from this workshop. The cost of registration includes a comprehensive resource packet. Register online here.

Legal Issues for Farm Business
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, Champaign, IL
February 19, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Led by Rachel Armstrong, attorney and founder of Farm Commons, this workshop covers business structures, farmland ownership transition, land access, contract strategies, and financing options. You'll also receive detailed guides on creating legal business entities and financing. Plenty of discussion and brainstorming time is built into the schedule to help you craft a personalized legal strategy. Register online here.

Farmers Market Workshop
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, Champaign, IL
March 6, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The farmers market is the quintessential sales outlet for small farms. This workshop
features expert direct marketers from PrairiErth Farm and other businesses to show you how to succeed at market selling through eye-catching displays, customer relations, food safety regulation compliance, and other related topics. Register online here.

Small Engine and Tractor Workshop
Richmond Community College, Danville, IL
April 3, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Small engines (for tilling or mowing) and small tractors (for cultivation and light work), are essential farm tools. We'll cover the operation and maintenance of engines in the morning, and tractors in the afternoon. Participants will work hands-on with the machines. You can attend either the morning or afternoon session, or both. Register online here.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference
January 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Springfield, IL
The conference, which features nearly 100 speakers and 60 trade show exhibitors, will again host four concurrent preconference workshops, general sessions and breakout sessions aimed at helping Illinois specialty growers cultivate their operations. Learn more here. 

Annie's Project
February 16 - March 3, Tuesdays and Thursdays
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Annie's Project is a six-week course offered by University of Illinois Extension in partnership with Annie's Project.  It is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field.
It's a relaxed, fun and dynamic way to learn, grow, and meet other farm and ranch women. This program is being offered at the Macoupin County Extension Office in Carlinville. Register online here.

2016 Small Farms Winter Webinar Series
The University of Illinois Extension presents a weekly educational series for the small farm community. This series will provide practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois. These online presentations will give small farm producers a look at how leading practices in production, management, and marketing enable operations to improve profitability and sustainability. This year's series includes new topics such as farm pond ecology, producing Shiitake mushrooms, the emerging local grain economy in Illinois, raising meat birds on pasture and growing great blackberries. Webinars will be held from noon -1:00 pm on Thursdays and are free. Register here.

Homegrown Fest:  Local Food and Urban Ag Workshops
March 19
Lincoln Land Community College 
Workforce Development Center
Homegrown Fest will bring together community members from all walks of life to explore and develop local food, agriculture, and gardening knowledge and skills. The aim of the Homegrown Fest is to increase the availability and affordability of local food, to grow and pass on knowledge related to food traditions and culture, and to reconnect the community to sustainable and holistic lifestyles for the 21st century. The event will be held on March 19th from 9am- 1pm at the Lincoln Land Community College Workforce Development Center. Registration (coming in February) will be $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Lunch will be available for sale. Learn more here.

blThis Week on the TLC Blog...
What should be our new season's resolution?
Ah, the holidays. Chestnuts, crackling fireplaces, big meals and tasty treats with family and friends. And even though this year was a tad unusual (kids playing outside in the sun instead of rolling out snow angels, the feeling of the holiday season is always in the air.

But with that feeling comes the anticipation of what follows immediately afterwards - a brand new year...

agnewsAgriculture in the News:
Something you should know
Is being a vegetarian REALLY worse for the environment than eating meat? Articles based on a recent study claim so. Find out some issues with these claims here.

Something you should do:
Food Tank has released a list of 116 organizations to keep an eye on in 2016. These groups are doing great work to create a sustainable global food system. Check them out here!

Something to be happy about: 
A new food documentary based on Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food" airs on PBS this Wednesday, December 30. Get a sneak peak into what it's about in this interview with director Michael Schwarz. 

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.

Employment Opportunities:

EXPERIENCED HERDSMAN WANTED - BLUFORD
Farraway Farm, Bluford, Illinois, is looking for an experienced cattle herdsman to manage all aspects of our 200-cow Angus commercial cow-calf operation on beautiful rolling hills of southern Illinois. Owners plan transition to a primarily grass-fed herd. Key responsibilities include:
�      Oversee all aspects of cattle herd including nutrition, reproduction, calving,
       vaccinations
�      Manage and improve 500 acres of pasture and fence
�      Coordinate mowing and grooming of grounds and farm frontage
�      Oversee full-time hourly farm hand
�      Manage hay production
�      Repair and maintain farm equipment and buildings
�      Keep online herd records up to date
�      Manage budget and expenses
�      Communicate daily with owner
Apply by email to [email protected].

We seek a farmer to manage a 4-acre Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. Infrastructure on the farm already includes a greenhouse, walk-in cooler, water well and irrigation system, BCS tractor and other supplies. Responsibilities will include developing a yearly organic fruit/vegetable crop rotation plan including cover crops; planting, weeding, watering, managing fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs, and harvesting produce; promoting the farm, helping to solicit annual shareholders and maintaining shareholder, client and Board relationships; managing a 100 - 120 member CSA including the weekly distribution and pickup for shareholders and donated produce; overseeing work of seasonal staff, volunteers, seasonal interns, and community outreach programs; working with farm board to develop responsible and realistic annual budget; retail and wholesale sales of produce. Send cover letter and resume no later than close of business December 15, 2015 to Tod Satterthwaite, Sola Gratia Farm, 2200 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, IL 61802 or electronically to [email protected]. Early applications encouraged. Call 217-3674-1189 with any questions.

PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Practical Farmers of Iowa is looking for a full-time, collaborative, values-driven, and visionary leader who is passionate about sustainable agriculture, and skilled at managing a complex, dynamic organization. The successful candidate will have a passion for improving the sustainability, profitability and ecological health of farms and farming systems. This individual will value the history and culture of Practical Farmers of Iowa, and work to guide the organization to meet the goals, values and vision of its membership. The Executive Director works with the Board of Directors to develop and achieve long-term goals and objectives. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors. Full details here.

Land, Equipment, and Other:

FARMLAND IN RICHMOND TOWNSHIP, IL
The Property consists of three (3) tax parcels with a total site area calculated to be 153.39 acres. The Property is located north and east of State Route 12, south of Hill Road, and west of Vista Drive, in the Richmond area of McHenry County. Approximately 75 acres of the Property are tillable. Another approximately 75 acres of the property contain a forested wetland, moderate slopes and riparian areas adjacent to the north branch of Nippersink Creek. The remainder of the land contains two houses and several outbuildings. Non-farm vegetation is characteristic of a Midwestern  roadside and riparian wetland floodplain and includes oak savanna. Agricultural production will not be permitted within the critical buffer areas around Nippersink The entire 75 tillable acres have prime farmland soils. The tillable acres of the Property have been in conventional production in recent decades. Prior to that, the farm was in dairy production. Due to the soils and location, this land likely has the highest potential for vegetable production or diversified operations, but the farming regime shall be open to the farmer. For more information, contact Emy Brawley at  [email protected].

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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