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June 28,  2016
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In this Weekly Harvest:     
Attention aspiring farmers of Indiana! The Land Connection is pleased to invite you to our Farm Dreams workshop in North Salem, Indiana on  July 11 from 5-9pm ! 

Over the past couple of years, we've increasingly heard from folks in Indiana that they wish there were workshops offered like ours closer to home.  That's why we are partnering up with one of our Farm Beginnings graduates, the very talented owner of  Blue Yonder Organic Farm, Sara Creech, to host our Farm Dreams program. The Farm Dreams workshop is meant to highlight what a life in farming is really like through a tour of the farm, a panel discussion with experienced area farmers, and a series of tried-and-true activities that will help you determine your farm readiness.

The program costs just $20.00 and includes a light dinner and the Farm Dreams handbook. For more information and to register, please  go to our website.

Now Hiring: TLC Office Manager - Part Time
Join The Land Connection Team!

The Land Connection is seeking a highly-organized, self-motivated individual to fill our Office Manager Position.  The office manager is responsible for all aspects of office management, and will work closely with the program managers to coordinate and support The Land Connection's programming and business activities.

Candidates should be proficient in Microsoft Office, have experience with data management software, and have excellent written and oral communication skills. Experience with Adobe Suite is a plus! 
 

market 
Market Corner

This week's market is brought to you by our neighbor and sponsor: One Main. Stop by the Community Tent to learn more about them!

We've got a delicious array of local produce, meat, grains, cheeses, gelato, treats, and flowers lined up for you this afternoon.

This week we've got facepainting and kids' games from St. John Lutheran School, as well as a Neutral Cycle bike clinic, where you can also learn more about the Bikenet app, a new local tool to fight bike theft in our community.

RSVP to our Facebook event page to help share the Market and get updates from vendors.

Be sure to stop by the Sampling Tent for a taste of the market as you shop! Today we're featuring Sola Gratia radishes on Pekara bread, Legacy of the Land collard greens, and Burning Oak Farm bacon!

Here's the quick rundown:
  • Sweet corn
  • Raspberries
  • Tomatoes
  • Bell peppers
  • Havasu peppers
  • Jalapenos 
  • Gooseberries
  • Okra
  • Purple   cauliflower 
  • Zucchini
  • Summer squash
  • Fresh herbs
  • Currants
  • Cucumbers
  • Sugar snap peas
  • Snow peas
  • Eggplant
  • Kale
  • Head lettuce
  • Romaine heads
  • Swiss chard
  • Spinach
  • Collard greens
  • Mustard greens
  • Bok choy
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Turnips
  • Goat cheese
  • Goat's milk gelato
  • Organic pork & poultry
  • Potatoes 
  • Pattypan squash
  • Beets
  • Radishes
  • Dried herbs
  • Succulents
  • Mixed bouquets
  • Cranberry Viburnum
  • Sunflowers
  • Lilies
  • Dianthus
  • Popsicles
  • Bread
  • Scones
  • Cakes
  • Pastries
  • Flour
  • Oats
  • Cornmeal
  • Buckwheat
  • Wheatberries
  • Granola
  • Popcorn
  • Pancake mix
Sweet corn is here! We're happy to welcome Maddox Sweet Corn Farm to the Champaign Farmers' Market. They'll be out over the next weeks with this Illinois summer favorite. We're also happy to welcome back Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, who will be on hand with an array of goat's milk cheeses and gelato.

Old Town Flowers will have colorful flowers and colorful fruits, including red and golden raspberries, as well as black currants. They'll also have dried herbs and flowers.

Pheasant Ridge Farm of Urbana will have tomatoes of the heirloom, slicer, roma and sweet cherry persuasion. They'll also have multiple varieties of peppers, as well as okra, eggplant, zucchini, yellow summer squash, patty pan squash, cabbage, napa cabbage, salad, kale, swiss chard, and cucumbers.

Joy of Illinois Farm will be bringing zucchini bread, made from Pheasant Ridge zucchini, Severson Farms wheat, and Joy of Illinois Farm's own eggs. They'll also have golden crescent rolls and plenty of delights from the garden. Speaking of Brian Severson Farms, they'll be sampling wheatberries and featuring different summer salads they can be used in.

Pop Stop is highlighting fruit this week with their sorbet popsicles. They'll be featuring flavors like strawberry-rhubarb pie, watermelon, banana, and nectarine-peach-apricot.

Three Spinners will also join us at the market this week. Stop by to make dolls and learn how you can help support Syrian refugees in Champaign-Urbana. In addition to the kids' activities and bike clinic described above, you can join a pop-up workout presented by B Fit Training and the Champaign Center Partnership in the One Main Plaza, right next to the Market. It kicks off at 5:30, so you can shop for great local food before or after you exercise!
farmfnFarm Fresh Now! Recipe of the Week


Collard Greens
With heaps of nutrients, almost no calories, and an ability to lower cholesterol, collard greens could be one of your best farmers' market purchases! It's a big, meaty green leaf that is delicious as a dish all on its own, or traditionally served with fried chicken. It isn't super showy, and can easily be missed on a table full of greens--so be sure to look for the stacks of wide green leaves--and stock up now, because it also freezes well. And you are going to need that infusion of vitamins this winter.

Visit us at the market today to pick up your free recipe card and nutrition card! Find all of our Farm Fresh Now! recipes on our website!

WorkshopsWorkshops, Field Days, and Grant Opportunities
THE LAND CONNECTION WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS

Hay and Straw Workshop
July 10, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Most small-scale, and some medium-scale and large-scale, animal farmers need to make or purchase dried or otherwise processed forage products for animal feed or straw for bedding. This half-day workshop should quickly save you the price of admission if you're relatively new to the hay/straw business, and should be valuable even if you've been farming for a while. Dry hay, haylage, balage, silage, and greenchop will all be discussed, with most emphasis on dry hay. Farmers and technical experts will provide the training. Laboratory test result sheets will be explained so the user can make better decisions about how to select hay and enter it into their farming activities. Register online here!

Farm Dreams
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. Sign up now!

Managing Risk in Organic Grain Farming - Workshop Series
This series of workshops is designed to help you manage risk in organic grain production, marketing, and financing. There will be four workshops starting on J uly 28 and going through February. Each workshop costs $25 to register, or $100 to register for all four. Learn more about the workshops and register here.

Central Illinois Farm Beginnings
Class start October 22
Applications are open for our year-long farmer training program. Now entering its 12th year of creating successful farm businesses, Central Illinois Farm Beginnings (CIFB) gives aspiring farmers the opportunity to write a plan for the development of their farm business over the course of nine winter classes and with the guidance of expert farmers from the region. After the completion of the coursework, students are matched with a mentor farmer as they begin their first year of production. Scholarships are available for this course and now is the time to apply! Learn more and apply online here!

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Farmers Market Sampling Certification and Rules Webinar
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
There are ongoing changes taking place in the laws and regulations that impact farmers' markets and their vendors. Farmers' market vendors & market managers are encouraged to watch this webinar to learn about how to get the new statewide food sampling certificate. Sampling can dramatically increase sales by more than 30% and can enhance your relationship with patrons! The webinar is presented by Rebecca Osland, Illinois Stewardship Alliance Policy Associate, and more information on the sampling certificate can be found here.

Spence Farm Tour
July 1, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Fairbury, IL
Attendees will learn about the cutting edge farming practices that make the Spence farm sustainable. Register to attend this tour of a well known working historic farm, and learn the latest farming insights from two knowledgeable farming specialists, John Kempf and Gary Reding of Advancing Eco Agriculture. Spence Farm has a large diversity of crops and uses a thorough approach to crop fertility and best practices for quality and nutritious harvests.  Register here!

Field Day at Vulcan Farm
July 24, 1:00 pm
1123 CR 2300 E, Sidney IL
See hundreds of varieties of over 50 perennial crops, plus establishment technique trials for seedling-stage silvopasture with sheep. Free and open to public. For more information, call  (708) 476-9929.

Feast on the Farm - A farmer, a baker, a brewer, and a chef
August 6
Hazzard Free Farms  
Feast on the Farm at Hazzard Free Farms takes guests on a tour of the sprawling farms old barns along a beautiful creek before settling in for a three-course meal curated by Found's Nicole Pederson and Hewn's Ellen King, paired with craft brews specially forged just for the event by Claudia Jendron (Temperance Beer Company). T his event will feature not only some amazing food and drink but also a tour of our rare grains nursery which should be in full bloom at the time of the event. 

Farmers Market Fresh Cooking Classes
June - August
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Classes will be held the second weekend of the month in June, July and August and will feature fresh, seasonal produce from Springfield's Old Capitol Farmers Market. Limit of 10 students per class, so please register early. 
For kids cooking classes, parents may drop off or stay in Copper Pot's waiting room while kids enjoy their cooking class.
1 hour cooking classes, kids age 3-5 - $12 (includes all supplies and snack)
1.5 hour cooking class, kids age 6-12 - $20 (includes all supplies and light meal)
2 hour cooking class, Adults, $30 (includes light meal and/or take home food)

Local Flavors Dinners
June - October
Now you can find farm-fresh meals at your favorite restaurants during the Local Flavors 2016 farm-to-table restaurant series. Local Flavors and dinners will be held on the third  Thursday of each month, June through October in Champaign, Springfield, Bloomington-Normal, and Peoria.  Stop by any participating restaurant on their scheduled date during their regular business hours. Each restaurant will prepare a Local Flavor Menu of three or more items featuring ingredients sourced directly from central Illinois farmers.

The series opens new markets for small farmers; highlights restaurants with a commitment to sourcing locally; and gives YOU a chance to support local farmers, local restaurants, and sustainable farming while savoring the finest flavors of central Illinois. Learn more here!

Since running the sampling tent at the Champaign Farmers' Market this season, I've busted a big myth. I've witnessed it with my own eyes and I can validate that kids really DO like eating vegetables.

I always hear people comment on how their child refuses to eat anything green. I'm not a parent myself, but I'm sure it can be VERY difficult at times to get a child to eat a vegetable over mac and cheese or cheetos if they are used to those foods regularly. Some days, that might be hard for me too (busted....), but I'm continually surprised on Tuesday evenings how many kids try new veggies at the Market and end up really liking them. Curiosity, and then joy fill their faces as they decide something is delicious that they didn't expect to be good in the first place... veggies aren't tasty... OH WAIT..... I liiiike this! Not all kids like all veggies - I've seen my fair share of disgust. I've had to remind a lot of kids that they don't need to hold the food in their mouth if they don't like it.... But overall, I'm thoroughly surprised to see the curiosity and openness to new veggies and fruits at the market - thanks parents ...

agnews Agriculture in the News:
Something you should know
Farmers from Clemons University work to bring this vibrant variety of wheat back from the brink of extinction. Learn how here!
 
Something you should do
Help celebrate farmers' markets and nominate one that you love to American Farmland Trust's Farmers' Market Celebration! Click here to vote!

Something to be happy about
Campus farms are helping students who are food insecure while teaching agriculture! Read more about the new programs here. 

HAVE SOMETHING? NEED SOMETHING? 
You can post your ad or search for more listings in the  classifieds section  o f our website. To have something listed in the Weekly Harvest, email us at info@thelandconnection.org or call 217-840-2128.

Employment Opportunities:

APPRENTICE - PRAIRIERTH FARM - ATLANTA, IL
Do you want to farm?  Do you have land but not the skills to tend to it?  Have you wondered what it would be like to spend a summer growing food for a community surrounding a farm?
Our apprenticeship is designed to give individuals with the desire to farm and grow food an opportunity to do that on a production scale to make a living.  We offer housing & monthly stipend in exchange for a full season commitment. 

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. Stipend starting @ $800/month and food from the farm as well as shared housing for the right candidate.
Full-time and part-time positions available. Contact Dylan at dylanrcook@gmail.com or click here for more information!

OFFICE MANAGER - THE LAND CONNECTION
The Land Connection is seeking a highly-organized, self-motivated individual to fill our Office Manager Position. The office manager is responsible for all aspects of office management, and will work closely with the program managers to coordinate and support The Land Connection's programming and business activities. 
Candidates should be proficient in Microsoft Office, have experience with data management software, and have excellent written and oral communication skills. Experience with Adobe Suite is a plus!

FARMERS MARKET HELP - TRIPLE S FARMS
Help wanted for the Urbana Market at the Square during 2016 season. Looking for a trustworthy and motivated individual who will work at our market stand. Must have good customer service skills, be able to handle money, and must be comfortable using tablets to track sales.  Hours are Saturday mornings, 7 am-12:30pm, May through October.  Pays $15/hour.
Contact Stan Schutte at Triple S Farms at 217-343-4740 or send resume to stan@triplesfarms.com.

FARM HAND - BLUE MOON FARM - URBANA, IL
We are hiring for farm hands. This is part-time work starting in May or June running into December. You would be doing all kinds of manual labor: harvesting, weeding, washing, occasional transplanting and general cleanup. The benefits are hard to beat: lots of produce, exercise, and interesting people to talk to. No experience needed. For an application, visit our website. Please fill it out and send to:  bluemoonfarmurbana@gmail.com.

FARMERS MARKET SALES ASSOCIATE - JONES COUNTRY GARDENS
This is a part-time job opportunity to work with Jones Country Gardens of Pontiac, Illinois. One day per week the employee will work in a group setting for the duration of Urbana's Market at the Square 2016. The Farmers' Market Sales Associate will gain experience operating a farmers' market stand at one of the oldest and busiest farmers' markets in the State of Illinois. The position will involve a high level of engagement with coworkers and customers in the midst of the hustle-and-bustle of the farmers' market.

I n collaboration with the Produce Manager and other staff, the Farmers' Market Sales Associate will work to market fresh produce, flowers, potting and bedding plants, eggs and frozen meats. Responsibilities will include:  Helping with setup and teardown of the stand,  assisting with display and marketing aspects of the operation,  engaging and conversing with customers and p rocessing transactions. Please email a brief cover letter and resume to jonescountrygardens@yahoo.com, including "Farmers' Market Position" in the subject line. Feel free to contact our Produce Manager, Bryce Davis, with any questions at 815-674-8235.

INTERNS & CREW MEMBERS WANTED - MINT CREEK FARM
Mint Creek Farm is a 230 acre, Certified Organic, grass-fed livestock farm located about 80 miles south of Chicago. We have a wide diversity of livestock including sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and seasonal turkeys.

We are seeking interns/crew members to start immediately.  This is a paid, full-time position with room and board available. Come learn and gain an understanding of how to raise livestock and poultry organically on pasture. If you're thinking of starting your own farm, there is no substitute for hands-on experience like what you will receive here. If you're wondering whether farming is right for you or just want to see what life on an organic livestock farm is like, we would love to have you.

No experience is necessary, but experience in physical labor or mechanical work and animal care is helpful and a great attitude is a must.  Please send your resume or work history to  jlarsen@mintcreekfarm.com.

Land, Equipment, and Other:

NEW HOLLAND 1034 BALE WAGON (Mechanical hay loader/stacker)
A pull type wagon that can mechanically pick small square hay bales up out of the field and stack them into pallets of 100 bales that can be moved with a forklift.  Always shedded while I've owned them, since 1999.  I've quit raising hay.  Two available.  Asking $5,000 each, obo.  100 pallets also available.  Pictures available here. Contact Brian Severson at  815-584-1850 or email  brian@qualityorganic.com.

ARTHUR, IL - PIGS FOR SALE
Selling at least 8 pastured, non-GMO fed, antibiotic-free pigs for around $1 a pound. Also available are a few  Red wattles which are antibiotic free, grown outside and will sell for 85 cents per pound. If you are interested contact Ammon Troyer at (217) 543- 2979.

FARM FOR SALE CLINTONVILLE, WI - $60,000
Small organic farm in Clintonville, Wisconsin. Chemical free for more than 15 years. Two tillable acres on quiet property (~ 4 acres) located on the wooded banks of the Pigeon River Watershed. Perfect for family who wants to enjoy nature, grow their own vegetables and fruits (apple and pear trees on property), fish and hunt, and live near a small community. Used for market gardens. Room to build a house. Two car garage, electricity, drilled well, septic system, greenhouse (house?) foundation, large compost bins on farm. Call 920-788-2445 or email gmn5rck@gmail.com.

LAND USE OPPORTUNITY:  2.5 acres on north side of Aurora, IL
Landowner is making land available for garden/farm use. Has been in grass
since 1981. Located near Indian Trail and Mitchell Road. Call owner Bill
Robinson at  630-927-0519.
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!
    
     
       
                          


         


       
 And thanks to all of our 2016 Market Sponsors!









    
 Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church




STONE COURT FARM
 







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