March News

Join our experienced and knowledgeable On Farm Educators in the garden! Learn from experts, grow your skills, connect with other gardeners and get hands-on experience in the Learning Center gardens.

March 26: Seed Starting

April 2: Composting

April 16: Weed & Pest Management

April 30: Straw Bale Gardening

May 7: Cultivating your Relationship with your Garden

Garden Skill Shares are $15 each. Additional stand-alone Skill Share sessions may be added so watch for announcements!

View Events Calendar and Register Here

Financial assistance is available for participants who qualify. Connect with us at programs@learngrowconnect.org to apply.

If you would like to help us continue to offer low-cost and free programs in our community, make a donation to Angelic Organics Learning Center today.

Welcome Rashad!

The Learning Center is excited to welcome Rashad to the Farmer Training team!

Rashad brings extensive experience in social entrepreneurship and community organizing to the Learning Center's team. His agricultural experience stretches from Illinois to Virginia, growing organic veggies and herbs on farms, backyards, and community spaces.

With Stateline Farm Beginnings® starting as soon as he joined the team, Rashad already improved facilitation of the program and has quickly established himself as a vital part of the team. Meet Rashad over on our Staff Page!

What's Growing at Roots & Wings

After School with Roots & Wings

Over the last few months, I have offered educational programming to the Patriots Gateway Community Center (PGCC) after-school program participants. The students ranged in age from 8-12 years old. PGCC was started in 1995 by the community members of Zion Lutheran Church. During our first meeting, we had over 20 participants eager to learn all they could about Butternut Squash. During our time together, we covered the health and nutritional benefits and discussed the difference between summer squash and winter squash. Finally, they had a chance to sample butternut squash in a dish.

In advance, I prepared the following for the participants to taste: Roasted Butternut squash, roasted butternut squash seeds, and butternut squash cupcakes. Everyone was willing to taste something, and many were willing to try it all. I found this encouraging because some had never eaten butternut squash before.

Keep reading on our blog...

Fall CSA Shares are SOLD OUT!

Only FOUR Summer Shares left!

Don't miss out on fresh, organically grown, local produce. Each share is a generous bounty of seasonal varieties of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. Honey shares are also available.

Reserve your Roots & Wings CSA share today!

BUY A CSA SHARE

Just in Time for Easter Dinner

Choose from 25 lb bone-in ham and/or 25 lbs of mixed cuts of pork.

Cage-free, free-range, pasture-grazed, raised by Learning Center staff and fed certified organic feed. Locally processed by Eickman's Meat Processing in Seward, IL.

PLEASE NOTE: This product is not available for shipping. Buyers will be contacted to set up a pick up date/time after purchase.

Purchase in the Farm Store

Summer Farm Camp is filling up fast!

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

DAY CAMP

(AGES 6-12)

Week 1: June 5-8

Week 2: June 12-15

OVERNIGHT CAMP

Week 1 (ages 8-12): June 18-22

Week 2 (ages 8-12): June 25-29

Teen Week (ages 13-15): July 9-13

Experience a real working farm while caring for animals, tending gardens, harvesting and cooking food, exploring the land, learning where our food comes from. Farm camp is life-changing for our campers, and we are so proud that many former campers return as camp counselors when they are older!

We want all kids to have the opportunity to come to camp. Contact us for more information about custom payment plans or financial assistance.

A Sweet Day

Last Saturday's Maple Syrup Hike and Pancake Breakfast was a blast! Dozens of folks came out to commune with the maple trees, tapping trees, gathering sap, and learning how it is turned into sweet syrup. Back at the Lodge, Chef Andy whipped up an amazing pancake breakfast for everyone using local maple syrup!

View our Events Calendar

NEW 2023 MEMBERSHIP PRICING

Whether you’ve never farmed before, you're seeking advanced training, looking to build community, or you’re transitioning to sustainable agriculture, join the UM CRAFT network!

Get the resources you need at the cost that is right for you! Choose from Full or Basic levels, with the option to Add-On an additional member. VETERANS: contact us about free US Military Veteran memberships!

Benefits include:

The Bi-Weekly Broadcast (click to preview) newsletter chock-full of resources
access to the UM CRAFT Forum (Google Group & Listserv) and Directory of local member farms and farmers
discounts on registration fees for UM CRAFT workshops, field days, and virtual events
discounts on programs at the Learning Center and Center for Agrarian Learning

Learn More

Join UM CRAFT

Join the Learning Center

Apply Here!

The Learning Center is hiring candidates who care about reshaping our food systems and educating their communities about sustainable agriculture and want to work with a team of passionate, friendly, and fun people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Why would you want to join the Learning Center's team?

Flexible work schedule, some positions hybrid remote
Love your office, located on 70+ acres of wooded land
Goats!
Staff meetings that include kayaking, game nights, and museum visits
Doing meaningful work that has a direct impact on the community
Did we mention the goats?

Visit our Employment page for position details, requirements, benefits, and salary information.

Roots & Wings Lead Educator

Develop and lead culturally-responsive educational programming at Roots & Wings, act as a liaison for the Community Advisory Council and provide educational opportunities to youth on the farm and beyond.

On Farm Educator

Facilitate educational programs at the Learning Center. Ideal candidates will have experience with organic farming, environmental education, and working with diverse audiences. Part-time, seasonal.