Farmer Training Roundtable II
Agenda
April 14, 2014
Bloomington, Illinois
Illinois Local Foods, Farms, and Jobs Council - Convener
8:00-8:30
Registration
8:30-9:00
Welcome and Scene-Setting
Tom Spaulding, Executive Director, Angelic Organics Learning Center

What can we do to get more farmers online?
o What are major obstacles to successful farmer training programs for the local
food economy?
o What are most successful approaches to bringing farmers on line?
o How do we evaluate success?
9:00-10:00 Introductions and Asset-Mapping
Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension

Who’s in the room and what is their farmer training work?
o Assess gaps; discuss and develop steps to address gaps; discuss and develop
strategies for collaboration with the goal of replicating successful programs]
o Who’s not here?
o How do we foster effective collaboration?
10:00-10:30 Rationale and Overview
Terra Brockman, Founder and Farmland Program Director, The Land Connection

How will we meet our farmer training goals?
o Revisit topics from Farmer Training Roundtable I and review rationale for
Roundtable II
o Introduce Guided Space topics, and invite Open Space topics (see discussion
topics on other side of this agenda)
o Discussion questions, and outcome reporting
 Where are the gaps in training?
 How can practitioners work together to fill the gaps?
 How can we provide a more seamless experience for farmers seeking
information and support? (How do prospective and beginning farmers
get a picture of all services available--organizations, programs and
resources?)
 What are major obstacles to successful farmer training programs for the
local food economy?
 What are most successful approaches to bringing farmers on line?
 How do we evaluate success?
Farmer Training Roundtable II
Agenda
April 14, 2014
Farm Bureau, Bloomington
10:30–12:30 Guided and Open Space Discussions
Choose the topic below that most interests you. The guided space will start with a report from
last year’s Roundtable’s working group, if applicable.
Guided Space Topics, Locations, and Facilitators
 Farmland Access: Conference Room 2
Facilitated by Brad Leibov (Liberty Prairie Foundation) and Terra Brockman (The Land
Connection)

Farmers’ Financial Needs: Conference Room 3
Facilitated by Jenny Meyer (Angelic Organics Learning Center) and Ron Homann (1st Farm
Credit Services)


Farmers’ Marketing Needs: Conference Room 4
Facilitated by Wes King (Illinois Stewardship Alliance) and Jody Osmond (CSA marketing
coalition and Cedar Valley Farm)
Advanced Learning Opportunities: Conference Room 5
Facilitated by Tom Spaulding (Angelic Organics Learning Center) and Rick Weinzierl
(University of Illinois)

Opportunities for existing farmers and the next generation to scale up and/or
transition to sustainable local food production: Earl Smith Hall
Facilitated by Dave Bishop (PrairiErth Farm) and Matt Sheaffer (Sandhill Family Farms),
invited



Openspace 1 Topic: ____________________________________________________________
Earl Smith Hall
Openspace 2 Topic: ____________________________________________________________
Earl Smith Hall
Openspace 3 Topic: ____________________________________________________________
Earl Smith Hall
12:30–1:30
Lunch
1:45 – 3:30 Discussion Outcomes and Next Steps
Karen Lehman, Director, Fresh Taste
Tom Spaulding, Executive Director, Angelic Organics Learning Center
Each Guided space and Open space discussion will present:
 one major gap in farmer training in Illinois
 one major collaborative opportunity to address that gap
 identify two people who will champion the collaboration and move it forward
Thank you for your time and energy today, and your continued time and energy as
we move forward to meet our farmer training goals!