The Learning Center added two new members to the staff roster this month! Mia Spaid is our new On Farm Program manager and long-time friend of the Learning Center Andy Skupien will be stepping into the kitchen as our new chef for programs on the farm! 

They both are busy learning the ropes and on-boarding with Jackie and their program directors, but they each were able to write up a lovely little bio to introduce themselves to our audience.

I’m excited to join the AOLC team as your new On Farm Program Manager. I got started in my nature-based career with an MS in Environmental Science focusing on invertebrate ecology in the Great Lakes Region. Somehow that turned into a fascination with urban agriculture, and from then on I sought to use the food we eat as a way to bridge the mental gap between humans and the rest of nature. I believe that we can do great things by seeing ourselves as part of an ecological community rather than just a human one.
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When I’m not trying to change the world one bite at a time I’m at home obsessing over my sheep and taking a million photos of every cute thing they do. I raise shetland and babydoll sheep alongside my partner’s dairy goats and a variety of free-range poultry.

In a surprise plot twist, our wonderful On Farm Program Director, Julie Tackett, was offered an opportunity she couldn't turn down, which meant resigning as Program Director with the Learning Center. It was a difficult decision! Everyone on the team is sad to see her go, but we all wish her great success in her new endeavor. 

Julie had this to say about her tenure with the Learning Center: 

I had a fabulous time working with all the people at the Learning Center. It was a great experience and I will always have fond memories of my time at Angelic Organics Learning Center. I will continue to support and appreciate the job that the hard working staff put into the day to day operations in order to help teach a new generation. Children and adults alike are lucky to have such a wonderful place to learn, grow and connect. Thank you for letting me be part of such a great organization. Best wishes to you all! -Julie

We already miss you, Julie! 

Our fabulous On Farm Educators have been busy at the Learning Center over the past couple of weeks. Randy, Jessie, Allyson, and Laura have all been busy delivering dynamic curriculums to hundreds of area high school students.

Some of the amazing things taught were: the natural history of our area, the value of crop rotation, organic farming, soil, and biodiversity, just to name a few.
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In addition, the students were able to participate in hands-on projects, such as taking and analyzing soil samples in order to better understand the components of a healthy food system. They even harvested some herbs, fruit, and vegetables for their farm-fresh salad! Let's give a big thank you to our hard working On Farm Educators, they really are making a difference!

In partnership with Zion Lutheran Church we officially opened the Buddy House. Residents from the Blackhawk community were invited to join us for a fun-filled afternoon, which included relay races, scavenger hunt at the farm for the kids, and bingo for the adults. The food was prepared by several volunteers from the Blackhawk community and the menu included hamburgers, brats, chicken and BBQ ribs. Side dishes included potato salad, baked beans, green beans and macaroni and cheese (Yum..Yum). Finally for dessert there was homemade strawberry ice cream, along with an ice cream making demonstration. The strawberries came from the Roots & Wings Farm & Garden.

The Park Players, a youth group from Zion Lutheran Church served the food to over 125 Blackhawk residents. It was good to see these young men and women supporting our efforts and volunteering their time to serve in this way. In addition their were a few vendors on site selling their wares, and I noticed several items being purchased from them. 
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Fun was had by all, and we are already planning our next event. It was so nice to see the community coming together enjoying one another's company, and deepening their friendships. I want to thank Janice, Peggy, Yatte, Angela, Wayne, Leon, Park Players and the residents that supported this event.

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. ​

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. ​

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.

Almost everything about the Rockford Art Deli business has environmental intention behind it- from the supplies used in the shop to trying to only buy from vendors and suppliers that show how and where products are made. Jarrod is also a founder of Allmade Apparel, an ethically sourced and environmentally friendly shirt company, and about 80% of Rockford Art Deli shirts are Allmade. Jarrod is always on the hunt for products to sell in the shop that are made from recycled materials.

The Rockford Art Deli has been printing shirts for our summer camps for years. Jarrod first visited Angelic Organics Learning Center in the summer of 2021 where he fell in love with our mission and our spaces. Jarrod took the opportunity to sponsor our Farm Dinner, which sealed the deal for him. He says, “What a magical place that more people should know about and experience.”

We are so grateful for eco-minded business leaders like Jarrod who are investing in our community. To learn more about Jarrod’s story of starting the Rockford Art Deli, visit their website.