Make A Big Difference On Small Farms With Winter Workshops

EMILY STEELE

URBANA, ILLINOIS

   Every small farm is different. Direct market farmers sending produce to local restaurants have different needs than homesteaders getting started with livestock for the first time. But small farmers, hobby operations, and backyard growers alike can always trust University of Illinois Extension to have a solution.

   The 2022 Small Farms Winter 10-part webinar series starts on January 20 with weekly workshops on emerging topics such as agroforestry and regenerative agriculture to always popular sessions on growing grapes and vermicomposting.

   All sessions are at noon on Thursdays from January 20 to March 24. 

   Courses are free and open to the public. Learn more about the sessions being offered or sign up online at go.illinois.edu/SmFarmsWebinarSeries .

   Each week, a new presenter will explore a small farm community topic to help producers adopt research based practices, start growing a new crop, or apply new management techniques to improve production and increase profit. Presenters include Illinois Extension researchers, educators, and specialists, as well as experienced farmers and Illinois agricultural groups.

   The series will cover:

   • January 20, Practical Agroforestry for Illinois Small Farms • January 27, Regenerative Agriculture: Techniques Toward Sustainable Vegetable Production • February 3, Commercial Pumpkin Production • February 10, Cottage food updates: 2022 Illinois Home to Market Law • February 17, Pawpaws: Producing a Native ‘Tropical’ Fruit • February 24, High Tunnel Winter Greens Research from Dixon Springs • March 3, An Introduction to Vermicomposting • March 10, Mushroom Production • March 17, Getting Started with Backyard Swine • March 24, Growing Great Grapes Presentations will be recorded and the video will be sent to registered participants at a later date.

   If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please contact Grant McCarty at gmccarty@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged. ∆

   EMILY STEELE: Media Communications Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension