Landwise - Featuring Innovative Illinois Farmers Giving it Their All
Brenda and J.C. Lyons of Sandoval, Illinois really did their homework. To create Lyons Fisheries, a highly successful aquaculture enterprise in Marion County, they read stacks of books, did research on the Internet, visited other aquaculture farms, took college classes and attended a University of Illinois Extension workshop on business plan writing. "We even talked one farmer out of a couple of juvenile prawns so that we could observe their habits and cycles," Brenda Lyons adds.
After nearly five years of research, planning and construction, they created what began as a prawn farm. Today, Lyons Fisheries has expanded to include tilapia and rainbow trout, with plans to add large-mouth bass and hybrid striped bass.
The Lyons received their first SARE grant in 2003 to develop the aquaculture operation. J.C., a machinist by trade, planned and designed the facilities, including a nursery, hatchery and grow-out ponds. Brenda helped with the construction and contributed her experience in accounting, management and marketing.
In their first year of production, the Lyons supplied four farms with 65,000 juvenile prawns. The second year they provided 10 farms with 143,000 juvenile prawns and finished construction of their grow-out ponds, which yielded 600 pounds of freshwater shrimp. The Lyons now hold an annual Prawn Harvest Festival in late September to promote the prawn farm and introduce the general public to freshwater shrimp.
In 2004, the Lyons received a second SARE grant to help expand the business. In the off-season, they grow red tilapia in the nursery in the two 9,000-gallon shrimp tanks, and the half-acre grow-out ponds are stocked with 7- to 9-inch rainbow trout fingerlings in the winter months. An aspirator aerator is used to keep the ponds from freezing. The Lyons then hold "Trout Fishing Days" for three consecutive weekends in April, and they offer a cleaning station and recipe booklet to help boost sales. Any remaining trout is vacuum-packed, frozen and sold at the fall festival.
Like any new entrepreneurs, the Lyons encountered their share of problems. "In 2004, we lost our stock of baby prawns—twice," says Brenda. "The first time we had chloramine in our water source. We made two trips to Mississippi to replace what we lost and restocked our ponds, but herbicide overspray from a neighboring farm contaminated everything."
The Lyons eventually contracted with another farmer to grow prawns for them that year. "In an aquaculture venture, when things get bad, they get bad real fast," says Brenda. "You need to be prepared ahead of time, as well as have the ability to move quickly to remedy the problems that can occur."
Their successful venture takes its toll in other ways as well. "We worked so hard for so long that I got very tired and overwhelmed," says Brenda. "There was so much interest in our project that we found ourselves giving impromptu tours. One day I had to stop in the middle of making a sandwich to give a tour!"
The Lyons began charging for their tours and consultations, although school groups and other educational organizations often get a break.
The Lyons work hard to give back to the community. In addition to their regular tour days, they have set up educational displays at the DuQuoin State Fair, the Illinois State Fish and Shrimp Festival at DuQuoin, the Sustainable Agriculture workshop put on by the University of Illinois, and the Heartland Aquaculture Conference.
The Lyons' advice for other potential prawn farmers? "Do your homework," says Brenda "Test your market and be prepared to give it your all."
- Leanne Lucas
Organizations and Programs Supporting Small Farms
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Patrick McGarry, Executive Director
Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA) is a membership organization working to promote sustainable agriculture and local food systems. ISA strives to support sustainable farmers through policy, advocacy and education initiatives.
ISA successfully lobbied on four bills in 2007, including: HB1300 - The Food, Farms and Jobs Act (passed); HB215 - Livestock Manure (amended); SB54 - Anonymous Complaints (died); and SB145 - Nuisance Lawsuits (died). In 2008, ISA lobbied on two bills and one resolution, all of which are currently stalled: HB 5776 - Premises ID; SB 1992 - Farmland Preservation ; and SR 626 –Farmers' Markets.
A major program initiative established in 2008 is the Buy Fresh Buy Local Central Illinois chapter. The chapter was created to promote locally produced foods and open new markets for local producers. The Chapter produced the Buy Fresh Buy Local Directory, a guide that connects consumers with local food offerings through farms, restaurants, farmers' markets and retail outlets.
Another popular program is Local Flavors, a dinner series that brings farm fresh food to local restaurants and gives restaurants and farmers an opportunity to work together. At Local Flavors dinners, participating restaurants offer a dinner special highlighting fresh, seasonal, locally produced foods. The series runs June through November 2008 and will continue in 2009, thanks to its popularity.
ISA is also offering a limited number of $1,000 scholarships to any Illinois student with at least a 2.75/4.0 GPA who is planning to enroll or is enrolled in an accredited postsecondary sustainable agriculture production program during the 2008-2009 academic year. The intent of this scholarship program is to increase the number of sustainable agriculture farmers in Illinois.
ISA offers a series of workshops, farm tours and other educational opportunities to promote sustainable agriculture throughout the state. For more information, visit www.ilstewards.org or call 217-498-9707.
NCR-SARE Announces 2008 Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals
The 2008 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals is now available online at http://www.sare.org/NCRSARE/prod.htm.
Farmers and ranchers in the North Central Region can submit proposals for grants to support sustainable agriculture project ideas initiated by farmers and ranchers. Projects should emphasize research or education/demonstration. Grants can range from $6,000 for individual farmers and up to $18,000 for groups of 3 or more farmers. NCR-SARE expects to fund about 50 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region with this call.
With this call, the Farmer Rancher Grant Program will now accept project proposals by email. NCR-SARE is now asking applicants to complete a brief budget narrative in their project proposal. Also, beginning farmers and/or youth may apply.
The deadline for proposals is Monday, December 1, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. Potential applicants with questions can contact Joan Benjamin, NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, at jbenjamin2@unl.edu or 402-472-0809. Or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Illinois SARE Coordinator.
SARE Publications
SARE Outreach provides field-ready information in print and electronic formats. The newest publication is SARE 20/20: Sustainable Innovations Are Revitalizing American Agriculture.
SARE 20/20 highlights cream-of-the-crop projects from more than 3,700 SARE funded grants, illustrating how producers, researchers and educators are collaborating to advance sustainable innovations for the whole of American agriculture.
Download SARE 20/20 for free, as well as other SARE Outreach publications at: www.sare.org/publications. To order print copies, visit: www.sare.org/WebStore, call (301)374-9696, or write to:
Sustainable Agriculture Publications,
PO Box 753,
Waldorf, Md. 20604-0753.
Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
Travel Scholarships Available
Scholarships are available for agricultural professionals wishing to attend conferences to further their knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices, to be applied to existing and new local programming.
Reimbursable expenses include lodging, registration, meals, airfare and mileage. Scholarship recipients will be expected to complete a survey immediately after the conference/event, and a second survey six to nine months after the event on how the information was used in their work.
For more information on travel scholarships:
North Central Region SARE
Professional Development Program
P.O. Box 410
Greenview, IL 62642-0410
(217)968-5512
web.extension.uiuc.edu/smallfarm/sare/travel.html
October 13, 2008
Fred Kirschenmann: The Future of Land Grant Universities (former Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University)
Location: Room 314,
University of Illinois' Illini Union, Urbana, IL
Visit: http://aces.illinois.edu/node/80
November 6-8, 2008
16th National Small Farm Trade Show & Conference™
Location: Boone County Fairgrounds, Columbia, Missouri
Visit: www.smallfarmtoday.com/tradeshow/schedule.asp
November 21-23, 2008
FamilyFarmed.org Expo
Location: Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
Visit: www.sustainusa.org/familyfarmed/
Additional events may be found on University of Illinois Extension's small farm website at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/smallfarm/events.cfm
Small Farms: A Renewed Opportunity Events
October 18, 2008
Local Foods Dinner
Time: 6:00 pm Location: Edgebrook Center, Kiki B's Restaurant, Rockford Cost: $50 per person Register online: webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=1956.
November 13, 2008
Consider Organic Farming: Management and Marketing
Location: University of Illinois Extension Office, 4-H Auditorium, Macomb
Contact: Loretta Ortiz-Ribbing, University of Illinois Extension, Macomb Center Office at ortizrib@uiuc.edu
Knowing the Rules: Stage II
Series of workshops on the rules and regulations affecting farmers who grow and sell local foods.
Locations: five locations around the state– TBA.
Visit: thelandconnection.org
January 29, 2009
Local Flavor: A Taste of the Seasons
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Quincy Steamboat Company, Quincy, IL
Cost: $40 per person
Visit: web.extension.uiuc.edu/adamsbrown/index.html
Call: 217-223-8380
For more information and additional Small Farms: A Renewed Opportunity workshops and events, visit: web.extension.uiuc.edu/smallfarm/workshops.cfm
FamilyFarmed.org
FamilyFarmed.org is a website, food label, and EXPO that supports Midwestern organic farmers by connecting them with consumers and commercial buyers. FamilyFarmed.org creates sustainable economic development, builds community, and contributes to a healthy environment by encouraging people to buy local.
Mark your calendar for the FamilyFarmed.org Expo on November 21-23 at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Sustain
7115 W. North Ave #504
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 763-9920
www.sustainusa.org/familyfarmed/
New Ag Network
Three universities—Michigan State University, Purdue University, and the University of Illinois—have joined resources to bring seasonal advice to field crop and vegetable growers interested in organic agriculture.
New information is posted twice a month during the growing season and less frequently during winter.
Our on-line newsletter features crop updates from organic growers and articles from university specialists about a variety of practices and new findings useful for organic growers.
The information serves those interested in transitioning to organic as well as those currently practicing low-input or organic agriculture.
www.new-ag.msu.edu/
|
