Food-Grade Grain Farmers: Show Your GRIT
Also, learn about The Talking Farm's CSA, and a Link Up Illinois job opening
Time Marches On
Last night’s sunset, the first in the month of March, was some kind of beautiful. As you can see, the sun continues on its inexorable march north, and in a few days we’ll lose our sunrise and sunset views for six months.
But, as I’ve mentioned before, this will be just about the only thing I’ll miss about winter. There’s a hint of spring in the air today. Keep it coming.
Food-Grade Grain Farmers: Show Your GRIT
The rising number of farmers growing sustainably produced grain, often from heirloom or ancient varieties, is one of the most profound agricultural trends in recent years. I’m pleased to introduce you to Midwest GRIT, which is providing a year-long peer learning program for food-grade grain farmers.
Applications are open through March 31.
Midwest GRIT (Grains Resource & Immersive Training) is led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with the Artisan Grain Collaborative and OGRAIN (the Organic Grain Resource and Information Network).
More information from Midwest GRIT follows.
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Midwest GRIT is Seeking Farmers for the 2022 Cohort!
Join fellow farmers in the Upper Midwest for a paid peer-to-peer learning experience in 2022 developed to support food-grade grain farmers and resilient regional grainshed.
Midwest GRIT is a yearlong peer learning program for food-grade grain farmers. Participants will be partnered by matching farmers’ collective experience, growing region and farming goals to foster a sustainable and collective learning exchange.
Each farmer pairing will support each other to gain new knowledge of organic food-grade grain production and marketing, while also strengthening mentoring skills that will benefit their communities beyond the length and scope of this program. Educational programming will provide tools, hands-on education and networking opportunities to establish or expand on each participants’ existing agricultural enterprises.
Programming includes:
Regular peer-to-peer engagement
Bi-weekly peer-led workshops
Monthly virtual seminars with topics ranging from field work to finance
Regional field days, on-farm demonstrations, and hands-on workshops
Virtual and in-person networking events to connect to farmers with other farmers, processors, end-users, and consumers
Women-centered programming that supports and strengthens the success of female farmers
Application period is open through March 31, 2022. Further program details and benefits can be found online at www.midwestgrit.org/apply. All farmers are encouraged to apply, and one third of cohort is reserved for farmers that identify as women. Preference is given to women, BIPOC, and currently farming applicants. A copy of your resume and references are required for submission.
Should you have any questions or difficulty submitting your application, please contact Midwest GRIT Program Manager Christine Johnson at cjohnson@michaelfields.org or by phone at 847-971-3092.
The good folks at The Talking Farm in north suburban Skokie have taken me up on my offer to share information about their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscriptions. Read on for details. And if you’d like Local Food Forum to share your CSA info, just send it (including a logo and/or photo) to bob@localfoodforum.com.
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Did you know that Skokie has a 2.5-acre urban teaching farm where you can pick up a weekly box of sustainably grown vegetables? The Talking Farm’s team of farmers, interns, volunteers, students and community groups all work together to bring you Skokie-grown vegetables only few miles from your house!
As a Garden member, you will receive 10 weekly boxes of fresh vegetables and herbs harvested within hours of your pickup time. Garden memberships are divided into (2) 10-week sessions:
Garden 1, which runs from mid-June to mid-August and contains lots of leafy greens, bagged salad mixes, radishes, cucumbers, hakurei turnips, zucchini & summer squash.
Garden 2, which runs from mid-August to mid-October and contains the most colorful bounty of the season such as multi-colored heirloom tomatoes, deep purple eggplant, orange winter squash and cool weather greens
Each Garden Membership includes a tax-deductible donation along with a host of other benefits such as discounts to Talking Farm events. Boxes are picked up weekly at one of our pickup sites in Skokie and Evanston during our designated pick-up days and times on Wednesday nights & Thursday mornings.
Separate shares of farm-fresh, free-range local eggs also available. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Link Up IL Seeks Market Program Associate
Link Up Illinois is the program, run by the nonprofit Experimental Station, that funds Link Match programs at farmers markets and other food outlets. Link Match enables recipients of food assistance benefits (Link in Illinois, SNAP at the federal level) to purchase more local, healthy, sustainably produced food.
If you’d like to be involved with this great program, Link Up Illinois is hiring a Farmers Market Program Associate. Details are below.
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As our Link Up Illinois Program Associate for Farmers Markets, you will:
Provide consistent communication with program partners to build and strengthen Link Up Illinois’ statewide network of farmers markets, direct-to-producer venues, corner stores, and independent grocers offering Link Match
Provide training and technical support to partner markets and other venues
Work with partner markets and venues to ensure timely and accurate completion of partner grant applications and contracts
Track program progress and ensure the program meets grant milestones
Provide data to the Senior Program Manager for grant reporting and fundraising
Preferred skills and experience:
Have experience in food access work
Be a people person and interested in data collection and evaluation
Enjoy collaborating with a team
Strong candidates may have experience in project management, program management, office administration, or small business ownership. Candidates who have ample experience in public speaking and data input are encouraged to apply.
This is a full-time, staff role with an annual salary of $42-$45k, based on experience. It comes with 50% employer contributed health and dental insurance, and paid time off.
Experimental Station is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to apply. Click the buttons below for more information.