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Pastoral life has long captured the imaginations of artists and photographers.  As many farmers are retiring without children willing to take over the family farms, their bucolic barns decay and industrial farms and subdivisions take over the rural landscape.  Angelic Organics farm is creating an alternative legacy.  A family farm since the 1930’s, it has seen many transformations.  In addition to being a working organic farm, John and Haidy Peterson have developed the farm as a living work of art. 

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 By Eco Advocates, Desmond Moore and Roger Ross.  

Recorded and Edited by Katie Townsend- Urban Farm Educator

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By Dominic Green, AOLC Boardmember

I was privileged to represent AOLC at the 98th Anniversary Celebration of the Chicago Community Trust at the Harris Theatre on Tuesday evening. For those who don't know, CCT connects donors to Chicago community needs, granting more than $150M to nonprofits in 2012. AOLC has been a grant recipient for many years now.

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Spring on the farm is amazing. Signs of the season are emerging: lots bright green grass, powerful thunderstorms, an overflowing greenhouse, and, of course, seriously adorable baby goats.

Although we had winter weather well into April, kidding season started right on schedule. We started with eight pregnant does in March and now we have fourteen happy, healthy baby goats.

Kidding season is full of incredible moments, but here are just a few:

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On a blustery April 25^th, twenty-six CRAFT members started the day at Hazzard Free Farm to learn about season extension. Hazzard Free Farm, started in 2007, is situated on a 240-acre plot in northern Illinois and consists of 10 acres in organic vegetable/herb production and 20 acres in organic grains. Farm enterprises include CSA, short-chain wholesale, and direct sales to other farmers. Owner/operator Andy Hazzard is also starting a farm incubator for farmers-in-training.

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By Tedd Snowden, Market Manager, AOLC Roots & Wings

 On April 16^th & 17^th, Roots & Wings held an “All Partner Business Plan 2-day Summit.”

 There were three main goals for the summit:

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By Randy Mermel and Jessie Crow Mermel, On Farm Educators

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Choosing a CSA farm is somewhat like dating – there are as many personalities of farms as there are personalities of people.  Part of the beauty of CSAs  (short for Community Supported Agriculture) is that they offer more than just food – they offer a relationship, a chance to connect with your food and be part of the farm community.  Yet, CSA-shareholder pairings don’t always work out.  It is important to find one that clicks with your personality and needs.

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By Martha Boyd, Program Director, Urban Initiative (Chicago)

On February 16^th, over 200 visitors convened at the Garfield Park Conservatory to learn about caring for livestock in the city.