IL Farm Bureau Doc Features Rural and Urban Farms
Also, Frontera Farmer Foundation opens grant applications
Three-Part Series Links City and Country
Illinois Farm Bureau’s new three-part documentary series, Fields Apart: Rooted Together, has officially launched, with Episode 1 now available for viewing on YouTube. Click the link below to view the episode, which runs for just under 30 minutes.
Raghela Scavuzzo — IFB’s associate director of food systems development and the organization’s leading advocate for our local food ecosystem — previewed the series on January 18 for attendees of the Everything Local Conference staged in Springfield by IFB, Illinois Farmers Market Association and Illinois Specialty Growers Association.
The presentation included a discussion with each of the farmers featured in the series, seen in the photo above (from left): rural farmers Matthew Heberling of MJH Farms and Sadie Asher of The Back 20, and Chicago urban farmers Michael and Amelia Howard of Eden Place Farm and Nature Center, Alicia Nesbary-Moore of Herban Produce, and Natasha Nicholes of We Sow We Grow.
According to Illinois Farm Bureau, Fields Apart: Rooted Together is
A docuseries showcasing rural and urban farmers and the shared characteristics, goals, and challenges they face when farming.
The series will show how farmers and agriculture in Illinois can help heal communities, drive economic opportunities, and show just how much farmers in different geographical locations share. These three episodes feature urban and rural farmers with secondary interviews from academia and Illinois Farm Bureau members.
Topics: Can you farm in the City of Chicago? How can farmers provide for their communities and help fight food insecurities? Are Illinois universities providing diverse agricultural education? What agritourism opportunity is there in Illinois? And more.
The series is filled with inspirational stories and beautiful production values. It is definitely worth your time.
Frontera Farmer Foundation Grant Apps Open
Frontera Farmer Foundation — launched in 2003 by Chef Rick Bayless, Chicago restaurateur and local food advocate — has opened its application for its 2024 grants to regional small farms. Click the button below to access the application, which must be filled out and returned by Thursday, March 14.
This year’s grants will add upon the total of $3.2 million disbursed by the Foundation over the past two decades. The grants of up to $12,000 per farm help finance infrastructure and capital improvements that can make a major difference in enabling the farms to succeed and thrive.
The following is information provided by the Foundation about its role and its eligibility requirements:
The Frontera Farmer Foundation is committed to promoting small, sustainable Midwestern farms serving the Chicago area, by providing them with capital development grants. Small local farms, which often struggle financially, are more likely to promote biodiversity by planting a wide range of produce and operate using organic practices. By their artisanal approach to agriculture, the freshness of their product and the variety of their offerings, these farmers insure the highest quality food while they add immeasurably to the fabric of their local rural community.
Eligibility requirements
Frontera Farmer Foundation will award grants for capital improvements of up to $15,000 to small and mid-size farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin that sell their food products to customers in the Chicago area at farmers markets and otherwise. We define “small and midsize” to mean family farms with up to $600,000 in annual gross revenue.
Farmers must have been in business for at least three years and must demonstrate how the grant will improve both their farm’s viability and the availability of locally grown food products in the Chicago area. Farms that have been awarded grants will be eligible every other year.
Nonprofit farms & farms connected to nonprofit organizations are not eligible for grants.
Grant applicants will be judged on the basis of demonstrated need, long-term dedication to sustainable farming, creative and business acumen, and commitment to sustainability. Applicants will also be judged on their past history with the foundation. Additional grants will be approved only after a farm has demonstrated the initial grant had a measurable impact on the farms infrastructure and ability to provide locally grown food to the Chicago area.
To learn more about Rick Bayless, his culinary journey since he founded Frontera Grill in 1987, and how his commitment to local sourcing and family farms led to Frontera Farmer Foundation, check out Local Food Forum’s article about his appearance during the opening session of the Everything Local Conference in Springfield on January 17.
Bob’s World, and Welcome to It
Tuesday’s sunset into the haze, the most persistent weather feature this winter.