CHICAGO, IL— Join University of Illinois Extension Educator Kathryn Pereira, Local Food Systems and Small Farms, and John Hendrickson, Outreach Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Madison for a season-long intensive workshop on farm profitability. Urban and peri-urban farms with three or more years growing experience are welcome to attend.
- Class kickoff: Thursday February 20 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Remaining class sessions TBD by participants.
- Location: University of Illinois Extension South Chicago Office, 8753 South Greenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60619
- Cost: $200 for 1st farm employee, $70 per additional employee from the same farm
- Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/VeggieCompass
To ensure individualized attention, registration is limited to 8 farms.
Farm profitability is crucial for sustainability whether your farm is a commercial-focused business or a non-profit venture. Learn how to utilize Veggie Compass in this season-long, hands-on program that includes 2.5 days of in-person group training and 6 individual phone check-ins. Veggie Compass is a free tool developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison to help farmers actively manage for increased farm profits by helping them understand their cost of production by product and by market channel. This information enables farmers to make strategic decisions to adjust prices, reduce costs, shift market channel focus, reduce or drop unprofitable products, and expand production of their most profitable ventures.
Urban farming enhances food security, localizes production, creates jobs, builds community, educates consumers, and provides green space in urban neighborhoods.
To learn more about Cook County Extension’s Local Food Systems and Small Farm Program visit https://extension.illinois.edu/cook/local-foods-small-farms
Please register early as capacity is limited. There is no on-site registration. For more information or if you require any special accommodations to participate in this training, please contact our office at 773-233-2900.