Released June 25, 2009
URBANA, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension is sponsoring two tours in August to showcase some unique efforts in sustainable agriculture in the state.
On Thursday, August 13, a tour will be hosted at Basu Natural Farms in Pembroke in Kankakee County.
On Saturday, August 15, Extension is sponsoring a tour to two farms: Mackinaw Valley Elk Farm and Blue Schoolhouse Farm, both in Congerville in Woodford County.
The Basu Natural Farms tour will begin at 9:00 a.m. The Basu Farms total 42 acres, 10 of which are committed to conservation of natural resources: indigenous woodland, native plants and many animal and insect species. Another 10 acres are used to produce a variety of vegetables, herbs and native plants, which are sold to clients who come to the farm, at farmers' markets, or at auctions. The Basus add value to the herbs by extracting oils that are useful for skin application, culinary needs, or as soap additives. Additionally, they can a variety of produce for consumption at home during winter, and they sell the excess.
"Their naturally produced commodities are actually organically farmed," said James Theuri, U of I Extension agriculture/natural resources educator. "An admixture of crops keeps pest numbers down, crop rotation reduces disease incidence, and mulching ensures less competition from weeds. In the fall, a cover crop (mainly annual rye) is planted and then plowed under in spring. The cover crop facilitates recycling of soil nutrients, and soil erosion is checked. For energy, the Basus use solar power to supplement other energy sources."
The second tour in August will travel first to Mackinaw Valley Elk Farm at 10:00 a.m. for a tour of the facilities and a lunch featuring elk patties, elk brats and Blue Schoolhouse Farm vegetables. After lunch, the tour will reconvene at Blue Schoolhouse Farm to learn about their vegetable production, concluding at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Mackinaw Valley Elk Farm began operating in 1994. Owner Gary Robenstein formerly lived in Idaho and was always fascinated with elk. "I heard of someone else raising elk in Illinois and decided to give it a try," he said. Robenstein started with a herd of about 10 elk. Although his largest herd was 65, he currently has about 30 on 35 fenced acres. The tour will consist of a basic "Elk 101" lesson — raising them and the meat/antler market — and a hay rack ride around the elk pastures.
Bill and Mercy Davison own and operate Blue Schoolhouse Farm, a 16-acre chemical-free farm growing a wide diversity of crops such as heirloom tomatoes, peppers, beets, cucumbers, melons, sweet corn, carrots, and potatoes. The farm also grows more unusual vegetable varieties such as arugula, Japanese turnips, and Asian greens.
To grow a wide variety of vegetables without the use of synthetic chemicals, the farm employs a diverse range of farming strategies including organic pest control methods, weed management through cultivation, and careful preparation of the seed bed. "We manage soil fertility by rotating crops and growing appropriate cover crops," said Bill Davison. "We also use a limited amount of drip irrigation."
The final 2009 sustainable agriculture tour is September 22, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables River Front Berry Farm Martinton http://www.riverfrontberryfarm.com
A fee of $20 per person will be charged for each tour, which includes lunch.
Registration at least one week in advance is required. Visit https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/default.cfm?RegistrationID=2845 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@illinois.edu).
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http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4827.html
Source: Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant (217) 968-5512, cvnghgrn@illinois.edu
Writer: Debra Levey Larson, (217) 244-2880, dlarson@uiuc.edu
