What do cover cropping in garden beds, companion planting of corn, beans, and squash, crafting herbal gifts at home, DIY sausage making, and sourdough bread making all have in common? Each of these practices empowers community members to boost self-sufficiency, enhance household resilience, and save money over time while building valuable hands-on skills. Additionally, these topics were all featured in the University of Illinois Extension’s Central Illinois Modern Homesteading workshop series in Bloomington, which began in August 2024, and will continue into the new year.
The specific workshop topics are a result of a needs assessment survey distributed in spring of 2024 by Local Food Systems & Small Farms Extension Educator Nick Frillman. Over 300 community members from Bloomington, Champaign, Peoria, Atlanta, LaSalle-Peru and beyond answered the survey. Upcoming workshop topics will continue to address the highest priority needs in our diverse communities identified by that survey. 2025 will begin with several exciting workshops!
In January, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Extension Educator Nick Frillman, along with Horticulture Extension Educator Ryan Pankau, will teach an in-person workshop titled “Fruit-Bearing and Ornamental Shrub Propagation from Cuttings”. During this program, participants will learn how to propagate or clone fruit-bearing and ornamental shrubs for both home and forest edge landscapes, including options for native and non-native species. Attendees will leave the workshop with cuttings of various shrub species to grow on their own in the spring if they wish.
Frillman will teach about the propagation of fruit-bearing shrubs such as black currant and American elderberry, as well as the various uses for these fruits. Pankau will cover the propagation of native species like red twig dogwood, smooth hydrangea, sumac, and more.
This program will be held at two locations and at different times to provide maximum convenience for participants. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Participant numbers will be limited, so those interested are encouraged to register soon! Visit go.illinois.edu/LMW/events to do so.
January 14th – McLean County Extension Office – 5:30PM to 7:00PM
January 23rd – Champaign Public Library – 4:00PM to 5:30PM
Another workshop topic that has been in high demand? "Backyard Poultry 101."
How does one begin their journey in the wide world of keeping chickens or ducks for eggs? Where does one acquire birds, and when is the best time to do so? What are the typical restrictions if one lives in town? Once someone has acquired their flock, how should the birds be housed, and what skills and supplies are necessary to ensure flock longevity and consistent egg production? These are the questions that people want answered.
On Wednesday, February 26th from 5:30 – 7:00PM, Katie Bell, Local Food Systems and Small Farm Extension Educator, and Anna Rose Morrell, Poultry Flock Manager at the Little Farm at Weldon Springs, will present a webinar on poultry-keeping basics. This session is designed to provide essential information for both hobbyists and small farms, making it accessible to participants across Central Illinois.
The webinar will include two short presentations followed by a Q&A panel, allowing attendees to ask questions and engage with the presenters. Participants will leave the session with the knowledge and confidence to start their backyard poultry journey.
For further information about the Central Illinois Modern Homesteading and Self-Sufficiency Workshop series programs, please contact Nick Frillman at frillma2@illinois.edu
WRITER: Nick Frillman Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educator, University of Illinois Extension
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.
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