Extension workshop March 22: 'Putting Small Acres to Work'

[February 22, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD — Putting a few extra acres to work can bring in additional income, provide an opportunity to experiment with a new enterprise, or develop an interest or hobby for its educational or entertainment value. How to get started is the question. Attending the workshop "Putting Small Acres to Work" will help.

The workshop is scheduled for March 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trutter Center at Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road in Springfield.

The program is organized by University of Illinois Extension and Lincoln Land Community College.

The day will be filled with a variety of options that may promote many new ideas to develop profit from your small acres. There is one general session, "Social Media and Marketing," presented by Katie Bishop, of PrairiErth Farm in Atlanta, and three breakout sessions. The three breakout sessions will include:

Session I:

• "Ten Things to Consider for Starting Your Small Farm" — Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, University of Illinois Extension, Springfield

• "Basic Cut Flower Production" — Violeta Saldana Veenstra and Jeannie Veenstra, Veenstra's Vegetables, Rochester

• "Growing Vegetables Year-Round" — Nathan Johanning, University of Illinois Extension, Murphysboro

Session II:

• "Soils 101 – Where it All Starts" — Doug Gucker, University of Illinois Extension, Decatur

• "Cottage Industry Food Law & Your Small Farm" — Wes King, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Springfield

• "Adapting to Changing Consumer Trends at Farmers' Markets and Adding Value to Your Products" — Matt and Debbie Daniels, Bear Creek Farm & Ranch, Palmer

Session III:

• "Pumpkins and Agritourism" — Linda Smith, Red Barn Produce, Edinburg

• "How to Stay Grounded While You're 'Out on a Limb' in your Small Orchard" – M.J. Walker, Mulberries Farm and Orchard, Urbana

• "Basics of Transplant Production — Setting Up Your Greenhouse" — Hans Bishop

Registration for the workshop is $30 per person, $40 per couple and $10 for students. Fees include handouts, lunch for each registrant, and morning and afternoon refreshments baked by a local baker. Preregistration is required by March 14. The late registration/walk-in fee is $25 per person and will not include lunch. To register call the University of Illinois Extension at 217-782-4617 or register online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/.

For more information on the program, contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, University of Illinois Extension, at 217-782-4617 or [e-mail]. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact the unit office at least two weeks prior to the event.

[Text from file received from University of Illinois Extension]