Illinois Small Farms

Join your colleagues in Dearborn for 24 symposia, more than 150 oral and poster presentations, tours, workshops, and special events. This year the overarching theme of the conference is Delivering Conservation, Today and Tomorrow. We will explore the challenges facing the delivery of conservation planning, policy, and practices today and the issues that must be resolved in order to deliver sustainable soil and water conservation tomorrow and into the future.

Come see the demonstration plots of Bioenergy crops, oilseeds, and other general  alternative crops.

Research updates will be given on Milkweed, Cuphea, and Biomass crop production, along with displays on winter annual oilseed production and a talk on the recent research from the USDA on field pennycress.  The day is set up as a guided tour through the plots with plenty of time for pictures and individual questions.  The tour will be held from 2-4.  No registration required and free to the public. If you have any questions or would like to bring a large group, please contact Dr. Win Phippen (309) 298-1251  for more details.

The third workshop sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension, Calhoun/Jersey Unit, designed to provide community members with the skills and information they need to be sustainable and, to an extent, self-reliant, particularly in these challenging economic times.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your bumper crop of tomatoes? Are you wondering what to do with all those zucchini or bell peppers? Don’t let the harvest go to waste, learn to preserve it for year round enjoyment. This evening workshop taught by Carol Schlitt, Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness, covers the basics of food preservation, from canning to freezing

Refreshments will be provided as part of the registration fee and will include locally grown treats.

Registration for each session is $15 ($25 for couples or if you bring a friend). Register for 3 or more sessions for $10 each session. Registration deadline is one week before each session – late registrations will be charged a $5 fee. The program will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

Plan to attend this free webinar (noon to 1:00 Central) and learn from National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) specialists Linda Coffey and Margo Hale as they discuss the following: multiple benefits of sheep and goats, selecting breeding stock ,general production concerns, evaluating animal health, marketing meat, milk, and wool products, including organic and your questions about sheep and goat production. Register at www.attra.ncat.org/webinars2009/sheepandgoat

Farmland in Illinois has been changed to other uses at a rapid rate over the past decade. Much of Illinois’ most productive farmland borders developing areas and has converted at a rate 30% faster than other farmland. Is this a problem or concern for the state or in your community? How do we plan for transitions in land use and still maintain a viable food supply? Can agriculture be sustainable and homeowners be happy? What are tools that can be used to help landowners and planners? Nationally-recognized speakers from Illinois and across the country will address these and other issues during the conference. The program will be held from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm.

Register on-line

The fourth workshop sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension, Calhoun/Jersey Unit, designed to provide community members with the skills and information they need to be sustainable and, to an extent, self-reliant, particularly in these challenging economic times

Join us in this hands-on workshop exploring ways you can reduce your energy bills by conducting a home energy audit and doing some simple things to make your home more energy efficient. Using the century-old farmhouse at the McCully Heritage Project as an example, Extension Educators, Jay Solomon and Ted Funk, will discuss “green” energy options for the average consumer.

Refreshments will be provided as part of the registration fee and will include locally grown treats.

Registration for each session is $15 ($25 for couples or if you bring a friend). Register for 3 or more sessions for $10 each session. Registration deadline is one week before each session – late registrations will be charged a $5 fee. The program will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

Food. Some love it, everyone needs it. Have you ever thought about where your food comes from? Do you know the farmer who grew it? Or how it was raised? These are all topics that will be addressed at the upcoming Tri-State Local Food Conference at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center, September 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This conference is designed for farmers, consumers, educators and others interested in producing a sustainable local food system and growing food, growing lives and growing the economy. The Conference will also feature nine breakout sessions related to local food geared toward farmers and professionals working in the food system. Break-out sessions will focus on farm to school programs, producer innovation and food system development. Session will be presented by speakers from Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. The lunch consisting of local food will be served and displays highlighting marketing tools, food system work and other food related topics will be available. Tri-State Local Food Conference advanced registration is $45 with discounts available for students and Buy Fresh Buy Local members. Contact Detra Dettmann, 641-472-6177 or visit http://travelfairfieldiowa.com/food-conference for more information and to register.