If you’re growing specialty or organic grains (or thinking about moving in that direction), who will buy them? What are the advantages and disadvantages of those options? At this informal gathering, you’ll have the chance to learn from others and share your own experience.
The event, sponsored by the Liberty Prairie Foundation and partners, will feature Harold Wilken of Janie’s Farm Organics and founder of The Mill at Janie’s Farm in Ashkum, Illinois. At last count, Janie’s Farm Organics is growing wheat, oats, rye, emmer, einkorn, buckwheat, corn, soybeans (for soy milk and tofu), black turtle beans, alfalfa, popcorn, and seed corn on over 2,000 acres. Harold is also growing Kernza, a perennial grain developed by The Land Institute . The Mill transforms the grains of Janie’s Farm and other farmers into flour and other products that are sold throughout the Midwest.
There will be much to learn, from direct marketing and cooperatives to selling to grain buyers and grain transformers (bakers, distilleries, etc.).
This event is also being held to help get a practical learning hub going in northeast Illinois under the IDEA Farm Network umbrella.
Where: Dorr Township Office, 1039 Lake Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098
When: Saturday, November 23, 2019 -- 9:30 AM CST
Details: Advanced registration is required at a cost of $5 / person. Lunch will be provided.
The Back Story
The IDEA Farm Network first started in the Champaign-Urbana area. It is a learning community where farmers, scientists, farmland owners, advocates, food entrepreneurs and consumers can comfortably share diverse experiences, information and views that advance regenerative agriculture. You don’t have to be organic to join in. You just need to be passionate about building healthy soil.
The IDEA Farm Network has an email listserve where farmers share knowledge and practices. Local IDEA Farm Network hubs hold informal gatherings, like field walks and meetings, where people can share practical knowledge and support each other. We believe local farmers, especially row crop farmers, here in northeast Illinois would benefit from having these kinds of gatherings going forward.
Questions about the event can be directed to Nathan Aaberg, with the Liberty Prairie Foundation, at nathan@libertyprairie.org or 847-507-5989.
