Small Farms Conference in Peoria December 1st
Editor’s Note: Do you ever find yourself craving truly fresh produce for your meals and snacks? There’s nothing quite like a fresh tomato or fresh green beans to put on your dinner table. Did you ever consider that perhaps local restaurants and chefs might also like to have access to fresh produce to serve to you at their restaurants? Wouldn’t it be a good IDEA to find a way to connect area restaurants with local small farmers? Well, speaking of IDEAs, Peoria County Extension’s Director, Roger Larson has plenty to tell us about their IDEA Program and their upcoming conference.
The Peoria Chapter of IDEA (Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture) is beginning its third year of addressing the needs of those in Peoria County who are involved in an alternative agricultural enterprise. During those two years, lives have been impacted: nutritionally and economically.
One of the programs sponsored by the Peoria Chapter of IDEA is a “Small Farms Conference.” This year that conference will be held on Saturday, December 1 at the Peoria County Extension Office at 4810 N. Sheridan Rd. in Peoria. Times for the event are from 8:00 am to 1:00pm.
This year’s conference will provide a diversity of subjects. Floyd Johnson, of the Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative, will be leading a discussion on “Developing and Maintaining a Cooperative.” Because of the need to develop working relationships between local producers and local chefs, Tracey Vowell of Three Sisters Garden in Kankakee, will be presenting a workshop on “Marketing to Chefs.” Due to the reality that alternative farming is very labor intensive, producers look for ways to ease that burden. To address that concern, another of the Conference workshops will be “Practical Equipment for Small-Scale Farming.” Lyn Hartz, of Hartz Farms in Wyoming and his father Loren have developed equipment made of machinery on their farm. One such piece of equipment is a “potato planter” which they made from PVC pipe, an old cultivator and tractor seat. During the workshop they will discuss its construction. The last workshop of the Small Farms Conference will discuss “Marketing and Branding Ideas.” Many producers grow a phenomenal product, yet struggle with developing their own “brand” or knowing to whom they may market. Practical “IDEAS” will be shared. To close out the Conference, a local caterer will provide lunch grown with locally grown food.
The cost of the 2008 Small Farms Conference is $25.00, which covers materials and lunch.
The Peoria Chapter of IDEA is a comprehensive approach to assisting those involved in alternative agriculture enterprises. Some of the emphases of the Peoria Chapter of IDEA are: developing Farmers’ Markets, linking producers with potential markets and the developing raised-bed gardens or “urban agriculture.”
If you have questions about the IDEA program or would like to register for the Small Farms Conference, call Roger A. Larson, County Director, at the Peoria County Extension Office. The number is 309-685-3140 or visit www.extension.uic.edu/peoria.
