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March 22, 2016
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In this Weekly Harvest:    
Want a Farmer-Mentor? We've got 'em! 
We are pleased to announce an exciting new program being offered by The Land Connection. For 11 years we have offered mentorships to our Farm Beginnings students, which gives our students one-on-one access to the wisdom and experience of successful farmers in their regions. Many consider this the most important part of their training received through The Land Connection's programs.

Now, thanks to a grant from FarmAid, we are able to offer mentorship to more than just our Farm Beginnings students. Anyone out there who is starting a new farm enterprise, whether it's for a small diversified farm, adding an agritourism concept to an existing farm, or transitioning to organic production, will benefit from a year of mentorship with an experienced farmer. Also thanks to the grant, we were able to double the size of our mentor network, bring in more organic grain farmers, and even add Indiana growers for the first time.

The season is gearing up. If you're looking for guidance, this program might be a great fit for you. For more information and to apply, go to our new mentorship webpage. We look forward to hearing from you!

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This workshop is designed to give you a foundation in basic maintenance and safe, efficient operation of small engines and tractors so you can get your farm work done with ease and safety.

The workshop is broken up into two parts. The morning will cover small engines through presentation and hands-on experience. The afternoon will cover small tractors and will offer participants hands-on experience doing basic maintenance on tractors, hitching and unhitching implements, and even using a loader. Participants will leave with the knowledge in hand to take good care of their mechanized equipment, plus a packet of resources to help them order their own parts and continue learning after the workshop.

You may sign up for the whole workshop, or just the morning or afternoon sessions, and lunch is included no matter how you register. Scholarships are available!

Small Engine and Tractor Workshop
April 3, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WorkshopsWorkshops, Field Days, and Grant Opportunities
THE LAND CONNECTION WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS

Porkapalooza
Big Grove Tavern
April 2, 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
We're doing it again! Join us this weekend for a bacon-fueled bonanza featuring music by The Polkaholics, a bacon and pork menu from Big Grove Tavern featuring Bane Family Farm and Triple S meats and a fun raffle of great prizes!  All proceeds benefit The Land Connection, a local non-profit training the next generation of sustainable farmers. Tickets available here!

Small Engine and Tractor Workshop
Richland Community College, Decatur, 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.

Intermediate Beekeeping Workshop
May 22, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
AC Bees Apiaries, Waverly, IL
This workshop is intended for people who have invested in honeybee hives and would like to improve their hive management skills. Led by Arvin Pierce of AC Bees Apiaries, participants will leave with knowledge of how to better manage and increase their number of hives, and create great forage for healthy, productive honeybees. Register online here.

Farm Dreams is an annual workshop series for aspiring farmers like you to discover what it would really take to start your own farm business. From assessing your skills and resources, to meeting successful farmers in your region, to deciding next steps for pursuing your farm dream, this workshop is the perfect setting for you to find out what it takes to own a successful farm business. Each workshop is from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m and is held on a working farm. Registration costs $20 and includes a light supper and the Farm Dreams Handbook. Register online here.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Good Food Festival & Conference
Good Food Financing & Innovation Conference
March 24
8:30am-6:00pm
UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago IL 60608
Prices: $45/95 in advance, $55/125 at the door
The Good Food Financing & Innovation Conference is a dynamic day that connects funders with food businesses seeking financing. Past participants in the Financing Fair have raised more than $20 million in funding. The juried Fair gives growing food businesses the opportunity to pitch their business plans to qualified investors, and business plan pitches from Good Food Business Accelerator Fellows put investor-ready businesses in front of the funding they need to grow.

The conference welcomes Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture to speak on Good Food Public Policy. The Opening Symposium features: Danielle Gould of Food+Tech Connect; David Miller of Iroquois Valley Farms; Michael Bashaw of Whole Foods Market; Raj Karmani of Zero Percent and George Siemon of Organic Valley.

Good Food Industry Showcase and Networking Reception
March 25
8:30am-7:00pm
UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago IL 60608
Prices: $45/95 in advance, $55/125 at the door
The Good Food Industry Showcase connects wholesale buyers with producers and growers; grows local procurement capacity; connects financial resources to farms and Good Food businesses; engages local school districts; provides a forum to discuss local, statewide, and national food policy; and educates the public about the importance and impact of Good Food.

Opening Symposium features Erika Allen of Growing Power, Leland Strom of FARM Illinois and Renee Michaels of the Kinship Foundation.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance Local Food Lobby Day
April 7
The Illinois State Capitol Complex and Arlington's Restaurant
Local food advocates, farmers, and citizens from across the state will come together in Springfield for Local Food Lobby Day to encourage their legislators to support local food and farms. Local Food Lobby Day will consist of a welcoming address, a civic engagement and lobbying training, a legislative update, and lunch (consisting of locally grown and prepared food of course!). Following lunch we will descend upon the capitol to educate legislators about the importance of local food systems and advocate for positive policy solutions that support local food systems. Learn more and get tickets 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.

bloogThe Fifth Season
Until I began working for The Land Connection, "conference season" was not a season with which I was familiar. "Winter", "summer", or even "monsoon" had crossed my path before, but conference season was novel.

So what is conference season? It straddles a bit of fall, all of winter, and a bit of spring. It's the time when many farmers get to step back from their most urgent work and do the other important work that has been simmering on the back burner all season: the planning, the organizing, the ordering, scheming, and deliberating. It's also the time to learn from and reconnect with their colleagues, and get away from the farm. So they go to conferences and meetings and let someone else do the work for once.

agnewsAgriculture in the News:
Something you should know
Nitrogen from fertilizer may stay in soil for decades before leaching into ground and drinking water. Learn more here. 

Something you should do:
Listen to the keynote speakers from the MOSES Conference in February. Find them on YouTube here. 

Something to be happy about: 
Michelle Obama's fight for good food has been a long but successful one. Read more about the work she has done 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.

Employment Opportunities:

FARM MANAGER, GOAT HERD MANAGER, FARMHAND - AFTERGLOW DAIRY FARM PORT WASHINGTON, WI
We require at least some on-farm experience for all positions, preferably in dairy.  With our management positions, a minimum of 5 years is necessary, and preferably we are looking for somebody with a lifetime of farming. The farm was initially developed by the owner in partnership with a founding General Manager Barry Midtling, an experienced farm owner and goat producer.  His wife, Sandra Midtling, who is an experienced veterinarian and cheesemaker, has served as herd manager.  Barry and Sandra are supported by two full-time and two part-time farm hands.  Barry and Sandra Midtling will be retiring from the farm in Summer, 2016, so replacement leadership is now being sought.
 
Application deadlines for Farm General Manager, Goat Herd Manager, and Farm Hand are March 20, 2016. Submit a resume with email letter of interest to Juli Kaufmann
[email protected].

FOOD HUB GENERAL MANAGER
Iowa Food Hub, a non-profit local food distribution business based out of West Union, Iowa, is accepting applications for a full-time General Manager. Responsible for hub daily operations which includes sales, procurement, shipping, and receiving of locally produced food products. Supervise staff, assist with grower development and education, oversee the community food box program, support Farm to School, partner with food access projects and oversee research opportunities and grants. The General Manager reports to the Board of Directors of Allamakee New Beginning, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization. Find full job description and application instructions here. 

FARM MANAGER - CLINTON, IL
Seeking a highly motivated, self-driven, knowledgeable, personable, independent farm manager to manage close to 3 acres of produce and fruit. Salary will be a percentage of farm sales, open to discussion. This is your opportunity to run a farm with no expenses or investments, income is only limited by your potential. Jubilee Farms, is located in Clinton, IL, in addition to fruit and produce I have chickens and alpacas. Livestock would not be the responsibility of the farm manager. Please contact Cyndy via email at [email protected].

INTERNSHIP - 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 [email protected] by March 4

INTERNSHIP - COOK FARM
We raise mixed produce for 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!

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].

Land, Equipment, and Other:

ORGANIC FARM FOR RENT
Organic farm for rent east of Downs, IL. It consists of 20 acres of land that is a mix of pasture and hay.  Marjorie Gilmore is the owner and she would like to find someone that wants to grow organic vegetables, grains, or livestock on her land. Her website is www.wellgreenfarm.com and she can be contacted 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!