The Liberty Prairie Foundation supports educational programming at the Prairie Crossing Farm to educate and inspire people to value healthy food, land and community.
 
We provide leadership and financial support for local food system development, social entrepreneurship, land conservation, environmental education, and civic engagement.
 
Join us for educational events at the Prairie Crossing Farm.
Transitioning to Organic Grains
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wed., Jan. 13 in Woodstock          
Help meet the demand for organic and non-GMO grains! Join The Land Connection for their Transitioning to Organic Grains workshop from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wed., Jan. 13 at Dorr Township Hall in Woodstock.   
 
Farmers who have already successfully and profitably transitioned to organic grains will give practical presentations on key topics including selecting alternative grain crops, planning for soil fertility and weed management, navigating the organic certification process, and finding buyers.
Harold Wilken, winner of the R.J. Vollmer Award for Sustainable Agriculture, will speak about his organic transition during the workshop.  
 
The registration fee is $40 for individuals and $20 for additional people from the same family or farm. Lunch is included.     
 

Food Safety is Good Business Workshop
Thurs., Feb. 4 at the Byron Colby Barn              
Prepare your farm business for success with the guidance of one of the region's foremost experts.
 
Organic farmer, author, and consultant Atina Diffley leads this all-day workshop that helps farmers tackle issues of food safety, sorting and packing, marketing, and post-harvest handling. 

Atina Diffley wrote the 2012 award wining memoir, Turn Here Sweetcorn, Organic Farming Works. She draws on her decades of experience in vegetable production and marketing to provide operators of produce farms of any size with useful, practical, profit-making guidance on how to achieve the highest quality produce for sale.
 

Be a Better Farm Boss Workshop
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wed. Feb. 17 at the U of I Extension Office          
 
Whether you manage one seasonal worker or a large year-round crew, good management can make the difference between making headway on your farm's work or just creating headaches.
 
Join veteran farmer and educator Chris Blanchard to learn how to create a productive, positive work environment by communicating clear expectations and implementing systems for efficiency and accountability.

The Be a Better Farm Boss workshop will be held at the University of Illinois Extension Office in Grayslake. The registration fee is $40 per person and $20 per person for additional people from the same family or farm. Lunch is included.


Summer Positions at the Liberty Prairie Foundation
 
Do you know a high school or college student interested in learning more about local food through a meaningful summer position?
 
We are hiring for the following positions at the Prairie Crossing Farm:
Successful candidates will be hard-working team players interested in organic agriculture, healthy food, and growing personally and professionally.

The Liberty Prairie Foundation does not hire for the independent farm businesses at the Prairie Crossing Farm, but we encourage candidates to contact the following farm businesses directly about open positions:
Nearby Farm Business Development Center alumni with open positions include:
This information is also posted in the Career section of www.libertyprairie.org

One Earth Film Festival in Lake County
Mar. 6 & 7                     
 
The One Earth Film Festival is the Midwest's premier environmental film festival, creating opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of human involvement.

A group of Lake County organizations will be bringing several film screenings to multiple Lake County venues. Save the dates of Sat., Mar. 6 and Sun. Mar. 7 and stay tuned for details!

Prairie Farm Corps "Giving Tree"
                    
Thank you to everyone who visited the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum and voted for the Prairie Farm Corps in the "Grayslake Giving Trees" exhibit.

The Prairie Farm Corps was won 3rd place overall and was also awarded "Best Display of Mission" by several independent artists who served as judges!
 
We appreciate your support of the Prairie Farm Corps youth development program!
Community Garden Plots Available          
                    
Interest in gardening continues to grow, and the Liberty Prairie Foundation welcomes interested gardeners to build community and grow food at the Prairie Crossing Farm Community Garden.

A number of plots are available for 2016. The rental cost for the 2016 season is $50 for a half-plot (approximately 24' x 11') and $100 for a full-sized plot. (approximately 24' x 22'). The fee helps pay for access to water, compost and wood chips, and the administrative and perimeter maintenance cost.
 
Email Linda Wiens at [email protected] for additional information.

Prairie Farm Corps Reflections        
 
Over the next few months, we invite you to read reflections from Prairie Farm Corps members about the impact this youth development program had on them this summer.

Here's what Demi, age 16, shared about her Prairie Farm Corps experience:

These days, the world in a way has set a stereotype for our age group, being that we are tech savvy, and in some sort, oblivious to the reality of the hard working world around us.
 
At the market I could tell that customers were surprised by our commitment to working on the farm. It then seemed as though they realized that we are hardworking teens, we do make a difference, and we don't in fact just sit around doing nothing all day.

Stay tuned for more Prairie Farm Corps reflections!

About the Prairie Crossing Farm      

The Prairie Crossing Farm is a working organic farm nestled inside the Prairie Crossing community in Grayslake, Illinois. The Prairie Crossing Farm is owned by the Liberty Prairie Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

 

The Foundation operates a variety of programs at the Prairie Crossing Farm to advance our mission. The Farm Business Development Center, an incubator program, prepares beginning farmers to meet the demand for locally-grown organic food in the Chicago region. The independently-owned Prairie Crossing Farm businesses serve customers throughout the Chicago region.

 

The 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. Educational programming includes the Prairie Farm Corps youth development program, seasonal events, and more.
32400 North Harris Road
Grayslake, IL 60030