Blog

Our ERME Adventure

4/6/2022

What is ERME?
The Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) program was formed out of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000. While the act was largely focused on amending and expanding the federal crop insurance protection, it also mandated the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to create research initiatives, pilot projects, funding pools, and an education and assistance program. ERME established four regional extension centers for education, which are located at Washington State University, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of Delaware, and University of Arkansas.

The mission of the ERME program is to “educate America's farmers and ranchers to manage the unique risks of producing food for the world's table.” ERME fulfills its mission by funding education and training programs for farmers (typically through university extension services), maintaining an agricultural risk library, and providing grant funding to projects to develop resources, networks, and systems of support in order to mitigate the risks farmers face.

Our Adventure
This was our first year attending the ERME conference. Our Farmer Training team was invited to present about our Stateline Farm Beginnings® program, a proven model to help farmers address the five primary areas of agricultural risk: production, marketing, financial, legal, and human. Stateline Farm Beginnings® is specifically for aspiring and beginning farmers who are underserved by traditional farm support services and crop insurance. Rooted in holistic planning, our year-long program helps farmers master the financial and business skills necessary for long-term success and to gain the technical skills which mitigate the risks unique to their products, farm model, and socio-economic circumstances.

Our Farmer Training team, Ritchie Wai (Program Coordinator), Goli Ziolek (Program Manager), and Kate Larson (Program Director) attended the conference. The team attended sessions led by university extension professionals, showcasing their programs and projects, while learning about new programming and partnership opportunities. They also shared the Farm Beginnings model with dozens of educators, extension employees, and agricultural professionals during the poster presentation and networking hour.

Ritchie discussing our poster

The team saw the musical Hadestown in their free time

The team enjoyed exploring Omaha’s downtown and bonding with one another. Kate says, “We learned a lot about each other which will help us work together as a team more efficiently.” Ritchie enjoyed spending time with the Farmer Training team and "learning about each other’s interests, quirks, and patterns in various circumstances because the better we understand ourselves and each other, the more compassionate we can be and the more effective we will be together.”

To learn more about our Stateline Farm Beginnings® program, click here.

1 Comment

Kenneth's Story

4/5/2022

0 Comments

Kenneth McDonald has grown up with Roots & Wings, our urban farm and garden, and currently works as our Urban Farm Apprentice. We are grateful for his hard work, kindness, and willingness to share his story.

Kenneth speaking at the Roots & Wings Brunch in 2021.

"I first heard about Roots & Wings from fellow neighbors and students, that there was a local farm in the community that provided on-site training and education for aspiring future farmers. I was about 12 when I started with the Youth Leader program and I was a part of it for about four years. What I like about the Youth Leader program is that it makes a conscious effort at redirecting children and providing opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge with farm-based tasks while giving them notable work history and experience.

I became a farm apprentice by simply volunteering on-site, and over time I was entrusted with more roles and responsibilities until I was able to earn a wage with the organization. I enjoy making stews from the vegetables grown in our garden, and certain vegetables like okra, cherry tomatoes, and red peppers are very delicious freshly harvested from the field.

Kenneth harvesting peppers in the hoop house at Roots & Wings

Working with Roots & Wings and being around the farm and nature itself, I have learned valuable life lessons that can be taken anywhere I go, like being more patient and understanding with others, and always making sure I hear people and their situations out before making a decision or judgment. I plan on continuing my "Farmer's Journey" with Roots & Wings for many years to come, for as long as possible. Working here has opened doors for me for further friendships, bonds, and opportunities within and outside of the organization and I am proud to say that I am a part of such a community-driven and admirable team."

Learn more about the history of Roots & Wings and the partnerships that make our urban farm possible here. If you would like to get involved with Roots & Wings or schedule a visit, please contact Tedd Snowden, the Roots & Wings Program Director at tedd@learngrowconnect.org.

0 Comments

Humbleweed Beginnings

4/4/2022

0 Comments

Miky Eum is the farmer and owner of Humbleweed Farm in Champaign, Illinois. She recently completed Farm Dreams Intensive, the first part of our three-part training program Stateline Farm Beginnings®. Helping farmers like Miky turn their farm dreams into reality is our goal, and we hope Miky's farm dream story inspires you as much as it does us.

Miky: The inspiration to become a farmer came to me in several steps. A tree identification course in college got me hooked on horticulture and I began pursuing a certificate in horticulture and landscape design. My instructor at the time, who is now my mentor, inspired me to start growing food. I volunteered on his no-till vegetable farm one summer but even at that point, becoming a full-time farmer wasn’t on my mind. It wasn’t until I came across a video of a Korean-American farmer, Kristyn Leach of Namu Farm in California, that I got inspired to start farming seriously. Seeing someone that looked like me farming gave me the confidence that I needed to become a farmer myself.

My farm dream is to reconnect with the land and my Korean heritage. To use natural farming methods to grow Korean produce in the midwest. To pave a path for future Asian-American farmers. To live a holistic, balanced life while farming where work and play are given equal attention.

Miky breaking down her cherry tomato trellis with Korean peppers in the back right

During my first growing season as Humbleweed Farm, I had lots of ideas that I wanted to bring to life but didn’t have the tools or resources to achieve them. I also realized that I needed to improve my business skills. At first, I tried learning everything on my own. Having to frantically squeeze in all of the on and off-farm tasks on my own as a single-member LLC was overwhelming, and I needed help.

I learned about the Stateline Farm Beginnings® program from staff at The Land Connection in Champaign, Illinois. I signed up for the course because I knew I needed to take a step back from the nitty-gritty of my farm business and look at the bigger picture of the quality of life that I wanted for myself. I was burning myself out with my two off-farm jobs while starting my small farm business and I hadn’t realized it. I knew I wanted to be able to articulate my farm dream better and felt that having a support system that kept me accountable to do this deep soul searching would be beneficial. I cannot recommend the Stateline Farm Beginnings® course enough to new and aspiring farmers. The course is thoughtfully curated and structured, with lots of opportunities to practice sharing your farm story and your farm dream. The Farmer Training staff are personable and they really root for you to be successful. It is not an exaggeration when I say that I didn’t want to miss a single class because each class was valuable and fun. The aspiring farmers in my cohort were vastly supportive of each other and each one of them has made a positive impact in my farming journey. I know that I will be in touch with all of them even after we have completed the program at the end of this year.

Humbleweed Farm production beds

The space that I have the privilege to farm on is just under a quarter acre of raised beds. The property is peri-urban and we are surrounded by corn and soybean farms, neighbors, a church, and a cemetery. I’ve faced a few challenges in the past year, such as with neighbors' pets, and sharing space and tools with landmates, but the opportunities given to me are far greater. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to start my farming journey without having to worry about paying for land or utilities in my first years of growing. Little did I know in the beginning that networking and having genuine relationships with my peers will bring upon this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

As for produce, I grow a variety of Korean vegetables - Korean perilla leaves, Korean peppers, Korean melons, Korean zucchini, and Korean radish. Growing Korean produce means I get to reconnect with my Korean heritage. As I grow these plants, I learn their Korean names, the cultural and historical context of these crops, and how to use them in Korean meals. When I use the veggies I grew to make Korean meals that my mom used to make for me, I feel a deep connection to what I’m eating. When I open up a seed packet from Second Generation Seeds or harvest fruits from my field, I think about my ancestors. When I connect with a customer about a Korean vegetable or dish that we both love, I know that what I’m doing is making some impact in the community. I also grow produce that is not a Korean variety, however, I feel most attached to the Korean produce I grow.

Korean chili harvest

My goal for my second growing season is to provide Korean chili powder to my customers. I have spoken to fellow farmers and have made some progress to find potential certified kitchens to launch this value-added product by the end of the year. Korean chili powder is used in most Korean dishes so I am very motivated to continue to produce delicious and clean Korean chili. Two more goals for this growing season are to launch a short trial summer CSA and to become an authorized SNAP retailer to be able to accept SNAP EBT payments from customers. I started going to the farmer’s markets in Champaign-Urbana because of this program and I believe it is very important to reach customers that are unfamiliar with the seasonal, local food movement. I am very much looking forward to the learning connections coming up in Stateline Farm Beginnings® as well. I am eager to expand my knowledge in effective record keeping, composting, and crop planning on a working farm. But most of all, I look forward to continuing to meet farmers that will inspire me to keep moving forward.

Miky completed the Farm Dreams Intensive course of Stateline Farm Beginnings® and plans to continue the program through the end of the year. To keep up with her farm journey, check out her website or follow along on Instagram.

0 Comments

Blog

Our ERME Adventure

Kenneth's Story

Humbleweed Beginnings

Archives

Categories