The Local Foods Working Group of the University of Illinois Extension in Winnebago County will be hosting its third annual local foods conference on Saturday, March 17, 2012. The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Atwood Center, 2685 New Milford School Road, in Rockford.
This conference is designed to help interested community members gain knowledge and develop a greater understanding of local foods, from the farm to the table. The conference topics are geared towards individuals interested in learning more about growing their own food and/or growing food for the local foods market.
Conference participants will have the opportunity throughout the day to meet with conference sponsors and view their displays and products.
Registration is only $20 in advance ($25 at the door) and includes the keynote presentation, The Charm of Chickens: Reasons to Raise Backyard Birds, by Jennifer Murtoff of Home to Roost Services. Ms. Murtoff was recently featured in an article in the Chicago Tribune on backyard chickens, and provides guidance and assistance to backyard chicken-keepers across Chicago and the suburbs. Registration also includes one session each on beekeeping, gourmet mushrooms, and fruit production; handout materials; and a very delicious lunch featuring local foods.
To register or for more information, visit the Extension website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or call the Extension office at (815) 986.4357.
