URBANA, Ill. — There is no off season on the farm, and winter is a chance for small producers to gain new knowledge. The University of Illinois Extension 2021 Small Farms Winter Webinar Series offers small farmers 10 free weekly sessions with tools to improve their profitability and sustainability.
Starting January 21, university experts will provide practical knowledge producers can use on emerging topics that advance local food production in Illinois. Topics include biological pest control, aquaculture, cut flower production, regenerative grazing, accessing wholesale markets and more.
Sessions are noon to 1 p.m. CT Thursdays from January 21 through March 25. To register for one or all of the following sessions or for more information, visit go.aces.illinois.edu/SmallFarmWinterWebinar.
- January 21 – Exploring Cover Crops and No-till in Tomato & Pepper Production Systems, presented by Nathan Johanning
- January 28 – Augmentative Biological Control in Protected Culture and Greenhouses, presented by Dr. Kacie Athey
- February 4 – Aquaculture and Aquaponics: An Overview For Urban Agriculture, presented by Andrew Coursey
- February 11 – So You Want to Be a Farmer/Value Added Producer?, presented by Andy Larson
- February 18 – Spring and Summer Bulbs for Cut Flower Production, presented by Candice Hart
- February 25 – Regenerative Grazing – Could It Work on Your Farm?, presented by Doug Gucker and Katie Bell
- March 4 – Grower/Business Spotlight: Funks Grove Heritage Fruits & Grains, presented by Jeff Hake
- March 11 – Containerized Production: Options When Quality Native Soil Isn’t An Option, presented by Zack Grant
- March 18 – Food Desert or Food Apartheid?, presented by Grace Margherio and Joey Fonseca
- March 25 – Too Small for Wholesale Markets? Think Again, presented by Kathryn Pereira and Chicago Food Action Policy Council staff Marlie Wilson and Dakarai Howard
Each program will be recorded and uploaded and made available to registered participants following the live session. Past programs are available on YouTube at bit.ly/ILLocalFoodsYouTube.
— University of Illinois Extension
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