Winnebago-Boone

THE ART OF FERMENTATION:

LACTO-FERMENTATION

Fermentation, like drying, is one of the oldest methods of preserving food for later use. It is also used in creating other foods, like cheese, yogurt, alcohol, and sourdough bread. Fermentation is a natural process in which microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast convert carbohydrates into alcohol or organic acids under ideal conditions.

There are several different methods used in fermentation, and they can be classified into four types, based on the end product formed. They include lactic acid fermentation, alcohol fermentation, acetic acid fermentation, and butyric acid fermentation. Lactic acid fermentation, or lacto-fermentation, uses lactic-acid-producing bacteria and some yeasts to break down the sugars in food to form lactic acid and sometimes alcohol or carbon dioxide. Fermenting vegetables in this manner can extend the shelf life and break down some vegetables' components, making them easier to digest and absorb.

Local class offerings:


Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 6 to 8 p.m. (in-person)
Register here

Thursday, August 24th, 2023 6 to 8 p.m. (in-person)
Register here

Certified Food Protection Manager Course

The University of Illinois Extension will offer the Certified Food Protection Manager Course. This two-part class is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited course, which meets the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Food Service Sanitation Code requirements.

During this two-day class, participants will learn about the principles and recommendations of the FDA Food Code focused on food safety and contamination, employee health and hygiene, safe food handling practices, cleaning and sanitizing, and HACCP.

Upcoming local courses include:


October 24th & 27th
Rockford Police Station District 1, 1045 W State St, Rockford, IL
Register here


November 28th & December 1st
Stephenson Country Farm Bureau, 210 W Spring St, Freeport, IL
Register here

 For more information, call your local office.

 The ABC's of School Nutrition

University of Illinois Extension has partnered with the Illinois State Board of Education, to offer professional development training for school food service professionals. There will be three trainings in early August. 

Registration is from 7:45 to 8:00 a.m. The training will start promptly at 8:00 a.m. and will last until 12:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!


·    Thursday, August 3, 2023 -

Roscoe Middle School, 6121 Elevator Rd, Roscoe, Illinois


Register here

ELEVATE YOUR EXPECTATIONS WITH RAISED BED GARDENING

URBANA, Ill. — Whether for convenience or accessibility, raised beds are a popular option for growing fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants. Raised bed structures elevate the soil, and with it comes a variety of advantages for growing plants.

Using raised beds may allow gardening in soils where it may otherwise be difficult to grow plants, such as areas with poor drainage or compaction issues. Because these beds are raised above the ground, compaction shouldn’t be an issue because there won’t be any foot traffic on them.  

Raised beds also have better drainage, and the soils warm up earlier in the spring compared to in-ground beds allowing an earlier start to the gardening season. Since they are contained, they also tend to have fewer weed problems, although this can vary depending on the soil used to fill the beds.

Raised beds can also provide those with accessibility concerns, such as individuals who use a wheelchair or have difficulty working at ground level, with gardening opportunities.


While there are many advantages to raised beds, there are also some disadvantages. Raised beds must be constructed, which can come at a cost. While recycled materials can be used, there is still some added work to construct them. Filling raised beds can be expensive, especially when are building large beds. Some crops do not work well in raised beds. Sweet corn requires larger blocks of plants to ensure proper pollination, and large vining crops like pumpkins can overtake a bed. Finally, raised beds tend to dry out faster than in-ground beds, so they will likely need to be watered more frequently.


Raised beds are often constructed with wooden boards. Cedar and cypress wood are commonly used because they are naturally rot-resistant. Alternatives to wood include materials such as cinder blocks, plastic lumber, and metal. 


Pressure-treated wood is another option for constructing raised beds. Some people have concerns about using pressure-treated wood when growing food crops. Newer chemicals used in pressure-treating wood, such as micronized copper azole, CA, or alkaline copper quaternary ammonium, ACQ, are less toxic compared to previously used chemicals. Never use railroad ties, which have been treated with creosote, when constructing raised beds.


Raised beds are commonly built to be 6 to 12 inches tall but can be built taller. If constructing a raised bed with wheelchair access, they should be 24 inches tall. Raised beds should be no wider than 4 feet to access the beds from all sides. Otherwise, they should be no wider than 2 feet to ensure one is able to reach everything in the bed without stepping on the soil. When constructing raised beds out of wood, reinforce the corners with corner brackets or pieces of wood.


Fill raised beds with a 1:1 mixture of compost and garden or topsoil. Over time the compost or other organic matter used will decompose, which will cause the bed to settle. Because of this, more soil and compost may need to be added to the bed each year. To learn more about this, click here.


How much soil does a raised bed need? Multiply the length of the bed by the width and height — length x width x height — to get the raised bed’s volume. When calculating, make sure to use the same unit of measure for all parts — feet, inches, etc.  


For more information about gardening, visit the following links:



ABOUT ILLINOIS 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. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 

SOURCES/WRITER: Ken Johnson, Horticulture Educator, Illinois Extension, Gardeners Corner Summer 2023

2022-23 Project Grant Applications Now Available for

Boone and Winnebago 4-H and FFA Youth


The Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau is offering up to $200 per project in project grants for 4-H and FFA Youth to help support projects underway by local FFA chapters and 4-H clubs. The recipients will be able to use the grant to purchase necessary materials and supplies.

The applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be a member of a 4-H club or FFA chapter in Boone or Winnebago Counties
  • Must submit a typed application to describe the project
  • Applicant’s FFA Advisor/ 4-H leader must sign the application
  • Applicant’s parent/guardian must sign the application

 
The recipients will be chosen based on the above requirements, along with a 5 to 10-minute oral presentation on the proposed project at an upcoming Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau board meeting. Grant funds will be awarded after the recipient submits a summary of the program or project, photos, and detailed receipts.


Grant Overview

Grant Application

SUMMER SELF-CARE SERIES 2023: EXPLORING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO TACKLE CURRENT HEALTH ISSUES

URBANA, Ill. — The University of Illinois, along with the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, a campus-wide health sciences-oriented research institute, in partnership with Illinois Extension, has developed the Community Seminar Series, a program that offers the community the opportunity to learn about current health research, learn how to identify reliable sources of health information, and engage directly with University of Illinois researchers.

Illinois Extension offers the Summer Self Care 2023 online series, in which health science experts from the University of Illinois offer holistic, forward-thinking solutions to address today's health challenges. All webinars and courses are eligible for CEUs and CPDUs.

“Given the current state of health information, there is a pressing need to create models that enable researchers, educators, and community stakeholders to collaborate and exchange knowledge on relevant health subjects,” says Extension outreach associate Dee Walls. “The goal is to offer the general public up-to-date, evidence-based health information.”

Session dates:

August 2 at Noon | Polypharmacy Part 2: The Rise of Prescription Drugs and OTC Medications

August 9 at Noon | Voice Care: Prevent Damage and Improve Longevity
August 16 at Noon | Sodium: The Basics of Dietary Education


All programs are Central Standard Time. Participation is free, but registration is required. To register click here.


If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, please email Dee Walls at walls1@illinois.edu or call 217-300-6862. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

ABOUT ILLINOIS 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. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.

WRITER:Herbert Chavez, Media Communications Coordinator, Illinois Extension  

STRENGTHEN YOUR FARM'S RESILIENCY WITH LEGAL TRAINING FOR ILLINOIS SMALL FARMS

URBANA, Ill. — Legal risks can be fatal to a farm business and addressing them proactively can keep farms in business. The relief of understanding legal issues can dispel anxiety and help farmers realize their power to control their circumstances.

University of Illinois Extension partners with Farm Commons for a four-part quarterly webinar series, “Legal Training for Illinois Small Farms,” featuring topics around legal questions for all Illinois farmers.

Farm Commons is a nonprofit organization that assists farmers in solving business law challenges in a community of support. It was founded by Executive Director Rachel Armstrong, who created the organization’s innovative approach to farm law risk reduction. She has authored publications on farm law matters for farmers, alongside several academic and trade publications for attorneys. Farm Commons staff will lead the interactive workshops, including time for questions from participants.

There is no cost to register for the series. Each session begins at 7 p.m. and lasts for one hour. Individuals who have farmed for years can learn tips to strengthen their legal confidence in running their farming operation.

The Legal Training for Illinois Small Farm sessions include:

September 18: 5 Steps to Protect Your Farm, Legally Speaking
Are there a few key steps that provide significant impact when it comes to the farm or ranch’s protection from legal risks? Yes, there are. Every farm or ranch, no matter its size, location, or longevity, is in a great position to build resilience. The session will help build knowledge and confidence around essential farm law issues. Register here

December 18: Land Leasing Basics
Leasing farmland is so commonplace that landowners, farmers, and ranchers may not think twice about the lease itself until things go wrong. Prevent problems by using a strongly worded lease while building a path to a resilient future. Coverage of leasing basics will help attendees to understand what a lease should include and how to put it in writing. Get started with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to create a carefully crafted document that works for individual needs, whether you are a landowner, rancher, or farmer. Register here

March 18, 2024: Forming an LLC
Producers are often curious about the details of an LLC, and most farmers choose the LLC as their preferred business structure. The good news is that forming one is quite simple. At the same time, farmers and ranchers need to know a few key details to ensure they get the benefits they expect from this entity. Join this session for a quick recap of why an LLC is a good risk management tool, learn best practices for implementation, and understand the regular obligations needed to keep the LLC in top legal shape. Farmers who have had an LLC for years can learn a few things about preserving their resilience. Register here

If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact Sarah Batka at sbatka@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

ABOUT FARM COMMONS: Farm Commons is a national nonprofit organization specializing in legal education for farmers. Our mission is to empower farmers to resolve their own business law issues within an ecosystem of support. Through education, leadership development, and community-based problem-solving around business law, agricultural communities become stronger and more resilient. The result is a legacy of sustainable farms and a community-based food system for everyone. At Farm Commons, paperwork is powerful.

ABOUT ILLINOIS 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. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 

SOURCES: Kathryn Pereira, Local Foods System Small Farms Educator, Illinois Extension; and Sarah Batka, Local Foods System Small Farms Program Coordinator, Illinois Extension

WRITER: Jenna Braasch, Media Communications Coordinator, Illinois Extension INTERVIEWS: Contact Dolan Klein, [mailto:dolank@illinois.edu,]dolank@illinois.edu, 217-333-7958 to request specialist interviews on this topic.