2008 Year in Review

Organic Field Day August 14

In one day, visit two very different organic farms hosted by University of Illinois and the Midwest Organic Farmers Co-op. The tour will take place on Thursday, August 14 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.

The day will begin at Ron and Angie Ackerman's farm near Chenoa. Ron and Angie Ackerman grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs on the same small central Illinois farm where Ron grew up. "I was a missionary in Viet Nam for three years and came back with my new wife and a desire to farm," said Ron Ackerman. "Angie didn't grow up on a farm, but took to it with enthusiasm."

Ackerman said that at first, his wife just wanted to grow the herbs she was used to cooking with in her native country, but she later found an interest in the other produce sold at farmers' markets in the area.

On the tour of the Ackerman farm visitors will see how to use diversity and local markets to create a productive and profitable farm that grows fresh, healthy food sold directly to local people.

The next stop will be lunch at Ben Meister's farm in Fairbury. Although Meister had been farming a number of years, about eight years ago he started researching organic farming.

"My landowner started giving me things to read and encouraging me to transition 600 rented acres," said Meister. He finally decided to experiment with a field of organic corn. The first year the field yielded 180 bushels versus 200 bushels from his conventional fields. Convinced he could make it work, Ben transitioned all his fields.

"Weed control is an issue in organic crops and many times organic fields stand out because of the weeds, but Meister has managed to keep his fields impressively clean of weeds," said Dan Anderson, University of Illinois Extension Specialist..

A $15 per person registration fee will be charged. For registration and directions to the farm locations, visit ASAP and click on Events or contact Dan Anderson (217-333-1588; aslan@uiuc.edu) or Duane Baker (618-783-4601; mofc-duane@verizon.net).

by  Editor, theCity1.com
July 29, 2008