University of Illinois Extension
Make a big difference on small farms with winter workshops

[January 06, 2022]     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/Sm
FarmsWebinarSeries.

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 [e-mail]. Early requests are strongly encouraged.

[SOURCE: Grant McCarty, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator, University of Illinois Extension
WRITER: Emily Steele, Media Communications Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension]