2008 Year in Review

Organic Farm Tour Boasts Nurturing Mother Earth

Nestled between the rare Black Oak Savannahs of Pembroke Township in Hopkins Park is a small, 14 year old organic farm called Iyabo Farms. It's the destination for a tour sponsored by University of Illinois Extension on Monday, September 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

"Iyabo is a traditional African word translated as 'the mother has returned' in the Yoruba language," said owner Johari Cole. "Our family chose this name for its relevance to our roots as an African-American family and for its synonymous meaning of nurturer. We feel that we are stewards of our land, here to nurture it back to its full potential so our purpose and intent is proudly reflected in our name."

The tour will include the farm's vermaculture operation, heritage turkeys, ducks and chickens, composting systems, aquaponics, black oaks and gardening. The farm is 45 acres in size but only 15 acres are set aside for farming and living. The remaining 30 acres are reserved for nature hikes, educational research, and natural plant and wild life habitat.

"This is an opportunity for visitors to tour a very unique certified organic farm with a wide variety of products," said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Specialist, Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture. "Beth LaPlante, County Extension Director and James Theuri, Agriculture and Natural Resources unit educator from the University of Illinois Kankakee County Unit will also be on-hand to answer questions."

Lunch at noon will include field greens, mixed green herbal salad, fresh heirloom tomato salad, grilled teriyaki/lemon pepper chicken, grilled veggies, vegetarian meatloaf, wild rice pilaf, and blueberry cobbler for dessert.

A registration fee of $20 per person will be charged for the tour, which includes lunch. Registration at least one week in advance is required. Visit Illinois Small Farms to register and for more details about each of the tours including a map and agenda. To register by phone, contact Donna Cray at 217-241-4644. For more information, contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant (217-968-5512; cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu).

For more information about , visit Iyabo Farms

On October 3 a tour of Mill Creek Farm in Quincy will be offered.

University of Illinois Extension is a statewide educational network that links the resources and research of the University of Illinois to the people of Illinois. The programs and workshops, which take place throughout the state, address issues involving youth, families, community development, agriculture, and natural resources. If reasonable accommodations are needed in order to participate in any of the programs, call 217-241-4644.

This tour is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, Iyabo Farms, North Central Region Sustainable Research and Education Program, Agriculture and Tourism Partners of Illinois, and the University of Illinois Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
July 31, 2008