University of Illinois Extension is hosting a series of homesteading programs in 2024 to bring people closer to the food they eat.
The program is designed to help people improve their planning, organizational and multitasking skills, while striking balance between homesteading tasks and life commitments.
The Gary Comer Youth Center’s urban agriculture garden in Chicago is an example of a sustainable community garden. A sustainable community garden meets the local community’s food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. (Photo by German Cutz, U of I Extension)
Maggie Ray, local foods and small farms program coordinator, introduced the first homesteading program in 2023, and is excited to bring it back for the coming year.
“Over the past year, 16 unique programs were offered covering topics like organic gardening, soap making, canning, seed saving and more,” said Ray. “While each program was a separate event in the series, many participants attended most of the monthly events.”
The first program is a general introduction to the homesteading series. The workshop is on Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Extension office at 402 Ava Rd. in Murphysboro. Register by calling 618-687-1727 or visit go.illinois.edu/Intro2Homesteading.
Additional programs scheduled for early 2024 include:
• Fruit Trees 101- Feb. 1
• Small Fruits 101- Feb. 22
• Composting- March 14
The programs are part of the modern homesteading series that includes a variety of workshops led by educators and experts throughout the state. To learn more or register for upcoming programs, visit go.illinois.edu/ModernHomesteading or call 618-687-1727.
Source: farmweeknow.com
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