The Sun’s Southern March Ends
The sun had to fight for space with some early morning clouds, but there it is — as far south in the sky as it gets. Today is the winter solstice, also known as “shortest day of the year” (just a few minutes more than nine hours of daylight). But tomorrow the sun starts its trip back north.
Wishing you a gentle winter… and patience… until spring signals the beginning of the region’s next outdoor growing season.
Note to Readers
Since most folks are scrambling to ready for the holidays, this seems an apt time for me to take a little brain and body break.
I’m on permanent staycation in Chicago, so if you’re a nonprofit that needs a last-minute boost for your year-end appeal or if you have other breaking news, I’ll be happy to get it out to our little world.
But I’m going to take some much-needed downtime through the weekend to recharge my batteries, audit a backlog of interviews to turn into (what I hope will be) interesting stories, and do some strategic planning for more newsletter features — some for paid subscribers, others for everyone — in the new year.
Oh, I’ll pop up with my holiday wishes. You all are my virtual hometown, after all.
Learn More About Cottage Food at ILFMA Webinar
Local Food Forum has provided information about Illinois’ new Home to Market law, which sailed through the state legislature with a big push from Illinois Stewardship Alliance. The law expands the opportunities for cottage food producers — farmers and others who turn delicious local food into delicious local packaged goods — to sell their products directly to consumers.
You will be able to take a deeper dive into this topic with a webinar by Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA), scheduled for Tuesday, January 4 (two weeks from today) at 6-7 p.m. central. Mary Liz Wright, University of Illinois Nutrition and Wellness Educator, is ILFMA’s guest expert for the event.
Here’s how ILFMA describes the webinar:
Join us for the Farmers Market Master series webinar on the changes in the Illinois Cottage Food Law. With the signing of the Home to Market Act, cottage food laws are expanding as of January 2022. Mary Liz will highlight the changes in the law as well as an overview of Illinois cottage food law.
Click the button below to register.
Oak Park Farmers Market Seeks Manager
Speaking of farmers markets, I learned through the grapevine that the Oak Park Farmers Market is seeking a new Market Manager.
If you would be interested in working for the success of one of the region’s oldest farmers markets, here are the the top factors that the search team is looking for:
• Experience with farmer's markets, food and/or outdoor markets
• Positive attitude, friendly, customer service-oriented
• Able to hit the ground running.
This is a part time/seasonal job that breaks down as follows:
January 17 - April 1 - 11 weeks at 2 work days a week (15 hours) equaling 165 hours total.
April 4 - May 13 - 6 weeks at 3 work days a week (22.5 hours) equaling 135 hours total.
May 16 - October 29 - 24 weeks at 3.5 work days a week (26.25 hours) equaling 630 hours total.
October 31 to November 18 - 3 weeks at 2 days a week (15 hours) equaling 45 hours.
Click below for the full job description and application instructions.
More Job Postings
The following are verbatim job postings by two of our great local food nonprofits: Advocates for Urban Agriculture and Windy City Harvest.
Advocates for Urban Agriculture
Advocates for Urban Agriculture is hiring for a new position — the Development and Finance Steward.
The Development and Finance Steward is responsible for administering the organization's finances and record keeping as well as cultivating donor relations and fundraising efforts to redesign our funding streams. The job responsibilities in the job description are written with the understanding that we are working within a collaborative circle model which fosters consistent opportunities for co-creation, feedback, and continued growth and improvement.
Starting compensation package is $58,000 per annum, and includes 90% monthly coverage for Blue Cross Blue Shield health, dental, and vision insurance. Our team operates on a 32 hours per week schedule, and offers unlimited Paid Time Off.
The deadline is January 17, 11:59 pm Central Time. Click below for the job description and application instructions.
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Windy City Harvest
We have lots of opportunities at Windy City Harvest currently for full-time year-round staff and for program participants.
Year Round Positions
Director of Strategic Initiatives (Oversees VeggieRx and special contracts): https://www.chicagobotanic.org/jobs/director_strategic_initiatives_windy_city_harvest_chicago_il
Director of Programs (Oversees Apprenticeship, Corps, and Youth Farm): https://www.chicagobotanic.org/jobs/director_program_windy_city_harvest_chicago_il
Data Strategist (Supporting in implementation of Microsoft Dynamics CRM): https://www.chicagobotanic.org/jobs/data_strategist_windy_city_harvest_chicago_il
Program Positions
Youth Farm Winter Cohort – 6 weeks of Saturday sessions starting in February (indoors!) in Washington Park, North Lawndale, and Waukegan. Must be in high school and at least 14 years old to participate:
https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/youthfarm/apply
Corps – 13 weeks of paid on the job training for justice involved adults and veterans (start date in April). Info sessions start in January, contact Robin for more info at rwsmith@chicagobotanic.org
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about any of these positions. Hope everyone is staying warm and planning for some rest before the new year.