The Liberty Prairie Foundation supports educational programming at the Prairie Crossing Farm to educate and inspire people to value healthy food, land and community through experiences on our farm.

The Foundation provides leadership and financial support for local food system development, social entrepreneurship, land conservation, environmental education, and civic engagement.

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events!

Vegetable Growers News Feature Article

The Farm Business Development Center (FBDC) at the Prairie Crossing Farm and Radical Root Farm were recently featured in Vegetable Growers News, a nationwide publication.

The innovative partnership that brought Radical Root to Casey Farm is a model we hope to replicate to create more opportunities for FBDC graduates to transition other public and privately owned agricultural lands into local food production. The Chicago region is hungry for sustainable local food!

We're pleased with this broader recognition of the impact of the Liberty Prairie Foundation's work on the Prairie Crossing Farm.

Local Food Interns and Youth Development

Do you know a high school or college student interested in learning more about local food through a meaningful summer position?

The Liberty Prairie Foundation is now hiring for the following positions at the Prairie Crossing Farm:

Outreach Intern (college students). Connect with communities and organizations pursuing local food initiatives, and much more during this dynamic food systems internship. Download the application, and apply by Feb. 21.

Prairie Farm Corps Crew Leader (ages 18-26). Lead a team of area high school students and work together to grow, cook, promote and market healthy food raised on the Prairie Crossing Farm. Download the application, and apply by Feb. 15.

Prairie Farm Corps Crew Member (ages 15-18) - Participate in this youth development program and work together to grow, cook, promote and market healthy food raised on the Prairie Crossing Farm. Download the application, and apply by Feb. 21.

Successful candidates will be hard-working, team players interested in organic agriculture, healthy food and growing personally and professionally.

FREE Solar Energy Information Session

Register for today's FREE Power Pack consumer education program from 6-7 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 21 (TODAY) at the Byron Colby Barn. Solar power has never been cheaper or easier to install!

Register online or call 815-455-8588 (Course ID NPG S88 021). Walk-ins are also welcome. For information, call the McHenry Community College Sustainability Center at 815-479-7765.

Learn about the benefits of solar energy, how to evaluate the feasibility of solar for your home, find qualified solar installers, and discuss financing options. A solar expert from Midwest Renewable Energy Association will be available to answer questions.

Queen of the Sun Film

Bees are important for many reasons, and play a critical role in our food supply.

The Liberty Prairie Foundation will host a free film screening at 6 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 26 at the Byron Colby Barn, featuring Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us?, winner of 10 international film festival awards.

Queen of the Sun is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from the award-winning director of The Real Dirt on Farmer John. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this alarming and ultimately uplifting film weaves together a dramatic story of the heart-felt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers around the world.

After the film, mingle with Prairie Crossing Farmers and local beekeepers. Learn about Conserve Lake County's Conservation@Home program, and another conservation topic - carsharing - with Zipcar. Stay tuned for more information! This event is co-sponsored by Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods and Conserve Lake County.

Flight of the Passenger Pigeon

Enjoy a book talk at 7 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 20 at Greenbelt Cultural Center with naturalist, author and passenger pigeon expert Joel Greenberg. Although in the early 19th century up to 40 percent of North America's birds were passenger pigeons, traveling in flocks so massive as to block out the sun for days, they became extinct in 1914 when the last of the species died in captivity.

Joel's new book, A Feathered River Across the Sky, relates how the pigeons' propensity to stay together in vast numbers made them vulnerable. Joel will explain how the passenger pigeon provides a cautionary tale of what happens when species are not harvested sustainably. We'll also view excerpts of the soon-to-be-released documentary From Billions to None.

Click here for additional information, including registration and admission. This event is presented by Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods in partnership with Lake County Forest Preserves, Conserve Lake County, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest Open Lands, Lake Forest Book Store, Liberty Prairie Foundation, Wildlife Discovery Center and EcoMyths Alliance.

Received this email as a forward? Sign up for the Prairie Crossing Farm newsletter!

Interested in live music in a unique setting? Sign up for the Byron Colby Barn newsletter!

Enroll for one or both email newsletters here, or forward this newsletter to a friend:

Prairie Crossing Learning Farm

http://www.prairiecrossing.com/farm/learning.php, 847-548-4062

32400 North Harris Road
Grayslake, IL 60030