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 Legal Issues For Farm Business
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| | Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons |
Several months ago, Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons called to ask if we would partner with her to hold a workshop. The answer was obvious: of course we will.
Rachel Armstrong is a lawyer on a mission. She creates legal resources and educational programs for farmers. This is important for two reasons, (1) for every important decision a farmer or landowner must make, the law must be well-understood and followed, and (2) those legal issues are complex to grasp and tedious to learn. Rachel is an expert on distilling all that information and empowering farmers to make great decisions for their businesses. On February 19, Rachel is coming to Champaign to present an engaging and powerful one-day workshop-- in two parts. In the morning participants will learn about business entity formation and transition, so that farms getting started or going through big changes can make sure their foundations are strong and their assets are protected. In the afternoon, Rachel will talk about land access and financing. How do you find land, and what strategies are available to make such big investments?
You can sign up for either session, or for the whole day. The best part? At $25 per session or $40 for the full-day, this workshop is affordable and will pay dividends.
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The Land Connection is hiring! We are looking for a full time program director to join our team this winter. The program director will oversee our farmers' market, farmer training, and outreach programs, and will be in charge of writing grants to support these programs. If you are passionate about supporting our local food system, have a proven track record of successful grant-writing, and would like to be part of a fantastic team, we want to hear from you! Click here for full job description and application instructions.
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 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.
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Workshops, Field Days, and Grant Opportunities
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THE LAND CONNECTION WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
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
Conservation Cropping Seminars
January 26-28
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Back by popular demand! Hear from local Ag producers and resource experts who share information and insights on soil health improvements, cover crop success, and wise nutrient management at the 2016 Conservation Cropping Seminars. Learn more and register here.
Tri-State Local Food Summit
John Wood Community College, Quincy, IL
February 20, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The state of local foods today will be the topic of the Tri-State Local Foods Summit held at John Wood Community College. Farmers and consumers from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri are invited to attend the day of education to learn more about various aspects of growing and using local foods. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at JWCC's Heath Center on the Quincy campus at 48th and Harrison. A Farm to Table dinner and silent auction will kick off activities prior to the summit on Friday February 19 at 7 p.m. at Bittersweet Confections, 111 Jail Alley in Quincy. Cost is $40 for a three course meal, with proceeds benefitting the Tri-State Local Food Summit. Tables may be reserved by calling the University of Illinois Extension Office at 217.223.8380. Pre-registration is currently underway online at jwcc.edu/grow.
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
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.
Organic Transitions Research and Extension Program Grants
April 15 deadline
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
The Organic Transitions program was created to support research, extension, and more recently education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic farmers and ranchers-including those who are newly adopting organic practices.
As an 'integrated' program, all ORG projects must include at least two of the following activities: research, education, and extension. $3.8 million is available in grant funding for projects. Learn more and apply here.
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This Week on the TLC Staff Blog
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Working Toward Our Vision
As the executive director of The Land Connection I do a lot of different things like writing grants and reports, developing our budget, working with our great team on programming, and going to a lot of meetings.
So when I get caught up in the day to day operations, the things that are not always super inspiring, I go back and read our mission statement. I do this not because I forget what it is, but because I like to take stock of all of the things we are working on and make sure we have not drifted, and to remind myself that the seemingly monotonous tasks are ensuring that we are working toward achieving our mission...
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Agriculture in the News:
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Something you should know:
Remember that last week's article claiming that the grass fed standard was being revoked? Really the certification will just be in the hands of a different agency. Read more about what's really happening and how it little it will affect consumers and producers.
Something you should do:
Start considering how you can help our pollinators before they actually get here. Learn how you can make your own beehive here. And don't worry, we'll have a beekeeping workshop in the spring to teach you all you need to know!
Something to be happy about:
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HAVE SOMETHING? NEED SOMETHING?
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Employment Opportunities:
PROGRAM DIRECTOR - THE LAND CONNECTION
The program director is responsible for managing all aspects of The Land Connection's grants, including the calendar, writing, reporting, and budgeting. The Program Director is in charge of The Land Connection's farmer training program manager, the Champaign Farmers' Market manager, and the outreach coordinator. To apply for this position, please send CV, letter of interest, and a writing sample (writing sample not to exceed 4 pages) to info@thelandconnection.orgINTERNSHIP - LIBERTY PRAIRIE FOUNDATION
The Liberty Prairie Foundation is hiring two Community Food Systems Interns for the summer of 2016. This internship is within the scope of our community food systems work and focuses on community outreach and distributing fresh vegetables via multiple programs to underserved communities. The position offers the successful candidate a diverse and meaningful experience in the area of food systems with a dynamic and leading organization in the field. The interns will: conduct outreach activities to communities and organizations pursuing local food initiatives; coordinate a fresh vegetable distribution program with a local community partner organization; coordinate and implement a gleaning program; and distribute vegetables to voucher recipients of the Women Infant Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Please visit the careers page on our website: http://libertyprairie.org/about-lpf/careers/ for the full description. Applications should be sent to Emily at emily@libertyprairie.org by March 4
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 dylanrcook@gmail.com or click here for more information!
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
NOW HIRING Start date: February-March 2016 Salary: $28,000 - $32,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience, some benefits and a bonus package included. POSITION DESCRIPTION: 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. The Farmer will work closely with the Sola Gratia Director and the responsibilities of the Farmer will include: - Helping to develop 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 January 22, 2015 to Tod Satterthwaite, Sola Gratia Farm, 2200 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, IL 61802 or electronically to todsatterthwaite@gmail.com. Early applications encouraged. Call 217-367-1189 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 ebrawley@openlands.org.
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
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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!
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