In This Issue
• Get Up to Speed on the Upcoming U.S. Farm Bill
• Angelic Organics Farm Camp Application Open
• Stateline Farm Dreams Application Open Til 4/24
• Saturday: Chicago Collections for Composting
“Farmers Need Rain, Farmers Need Rain…”
A scene from a stormy Chicago morning.
Get Up to Speed on the Upcoming U.S. Farm Bill
The 5-year Farm Bill, which covers all federal law and programs dealing with agriculture and food assistance programs, will be up for renewal next year. It is not at all too early to get ahead of the issues for which our community will be advocating when the debate in full swing.
A coalition of organizations — Northern Illinois Young Farmers Coalition (NIYFC), Central Illinois Young Farmers Coalition (CIYFC), Izaak Walton League (IWL), and Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA) — is providing a golden learning opportunity by staging a series of discussions on the 2023 Farm Bill.
The next of these sessions will take place next Tuesday, April 19, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Dinner will be provided to registrants attending live; there will also be a virtual option.
More details are in the release below, and click the button to register.
_______________
Farm Bill 101 & Listening Session
5:30 - 8PM
McHenry County College (CALS), Crystal Lake, IL
Dinner provided with registration
Virtual attendance available
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/engaging-the-2023-farm-bill-in-northwest-illinois-tickets-302875166777
The 2023 Farm Bill is rapidly approaching and now is the time to make your voice heard as your representatives prepare to update and approve the massive legislation package known as the Farm Bill. This is a historical bill that impacts legislation and appropriations for agriculture, conservation, and nutrition. Learn more about the Farm Bill and then share your experiences navigating federal programs and what can shift to better serve you!
This event is a collaborative effort between Northern Illinois Young Farmers (NIYF), Central Illinois Young Farmers (CIYF), Izaak Walton League (IWL), and Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA). It is the second event of a statewide Farm Bill series that CIYF kicked off at the end of March with a 101 and listening session. ISA will continue engaging farmers and representatives throughout the summer with six Farm Bill Farm Shindigs, so stay tuned on how to stay involved!
This series has been graciously funded with the help of ISA with a grant from National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).
Angelic Organics Farm Camps Application Open
Angelic Organics Learning Center in Caledonia, Illinois is accepting applications for its farm camps this summer. According to the Center:
Join us for fun on the farm! Harvest veggies, learn sustainable living techniques, care for adorable farm animals, hike to the creek, and more! You'll experience a real working farm while discovering connections between our land and the food we eat. What's more, recent studies show that time in microbe-rich dirt can actually improve your health, and time spent outdoors can lead to better academic performance.
There are three levels of camps: Day Farm Camp, Overnight Farm Camp, and Family Camps and Programs. Click below for more information.
Stateline Farm Dreams Application Open Til 4/24
Also from Angelic Organics Learning Center, its Stateline Farm Beginnings’ Farm Dreams Intensive for aspiring farmers is accepting applications through end of day on Sunday, April 24. Click below to learn more and apply.
Says the organization:
For the first time ever and in an effort to help more aspiring farmers participate, we are hosting a second cohort of Farm Dreams Intensive. This course will run from May to June and include eight virtual sessions. Participants of Cohort 2 have the opportunity to join Cohort 1 in the summer for Skill Building Practicum and in the fall for Farm Business Intensive. Cohort 2 enrollment is open now through April 24.
Saturday: Chicago Collections for Composting
A reminder that this Saturday, University of Illinois Extension in Cook County is holding kitchen waste drops for composting at two locations right here in Chicago: Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Plant Chicago (4459 S. Marshfield) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Read more below about what kinds of household waste will be accepted. Participants can also take home a bucket of finished compost to aid in their home gardening.
_______________
Garfield Park Conservatory
Sat April 16, 10 am – 2 pm
300 N Central Park Ave, South Parking Lot, Chicago
Plant Chicago
Saturday April 16, 11 am – 3 pm
4459 S Marshfield, Chicago
Residents can drop off kitchen waste to be composted and pick up a bucket of finished compost. Please BYOB (bring your own bucket). Finished compost is first come, first served. You can also pick up free plant starts donated by Gotham Greens, tour each site, learn more about how to compost at home, see a worm bin in action, and talk to an Illinois Extension Master Gardener or Compost Ambassador.
Accepted Materials: all plant matter (leaves, stems, cores, old produce), seeds/pits, husks/shells, peels, bread & baked goods, coffee & paper coffee filters, tea & paper tea bags (without staples), dairy, meats, bones leftover from cooking, eggs & egg shells, and cooked/frozen food.