The Weblog
The local foods movement is alive and well in Champaign County! Here are some updates on other projects while we finalize our virtual market:
Local Producers Map:
Our local producers map is ready for publication and you will soon be able to find it on gochampaign.com. Copies will be distributed around the community, in the local telephone book, and other “hangouts”. The guide lists the location and contact information for nearly 50 local producers within our county. The map was a project of the Local Food Council and printed with the help of some local sponsors including the Monument Square District, Champaign Bank, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and others. It is a great start to finding a local source for Champaign County’s finest!
Weblog Entry
Hello, customers/vendors/interested parties…
It’s Tuesday afternoon, so first, I would like to urge you to take the rest of the day and evening to get your market orders in!
Second, I would like to extend an invitation to attend the 3rd State Of The Plate event coming up…I have included a press release from the offices of our Chamber.
Thanks so much…and, you will not want to miss out, this year!!
Please make plans to join us at the State of the Plate Dinner on Sunday, October 4th.
This is a professionally catered dinner of locally grown and produced food, served in a restored barn that is on the National Registry of Historic Places, as well as an opportunity to talk with the people who grew the meal’s ingredients.
This unique experience for guests begins at 12:15 p.m. with registration and social time featuring local producers offering food sampling and items for sale. Opening remarks will be at 1 p.m., and will be followed by the local foods buffet.
During the dinner, local farmers and entrepreneurs will talk about the beginnings, growth, and success of their food production businesses. The speakers will include Lee and Jennifer Ruff of End of the Road Farm, Charlene Stapleton of Swisher Hill Herbs, Pam Bowshier of the Virtual Market and Cosmic Charlie Breads & Threads, and Sam Powell of The Bad Seed Mustard Company. The event will end at 3 p.m.
Reservations are now being taken for the limited-seating event, which will be held at the Pretty Prairie Farm of Todd and Jill Michael, 4440 Prairie Road, Urbana.
To make reservations and payment (cash or check please), call the Champaign County Extension Office at 937-484-1526 by this Friday, September 25th. Reservations may also be made during the Champaign Locally Grown Virtual Market order pickup, 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays through September 24th at the Champaign Family YMCA, 191 Community Drive in Urbana.
Cost of the dinner, catered by Amy Forrest of In Good Taste Catering, is $20. The event is being planned by the Champaign County Local Food Council, a cooperative effort of the Champaign Economic Partnership and the Champaign County Chamber, to help expand market opportunities for local food producers.
About the Pretty Prairie Barn
The rectangular, Pennsylvania Dutch section of the barn was built in 1840, and in 1896, a 12-sided, 42-foot diameter barn was added. The dodecagonal addition remains the largest of its kind on the National Register of Historic Places. The barn was used for steam threshers, storing hay and housing work horses. A third addition, built in the 1950s, housed beef cattle.
Todd and Jill Michael bought the farm in 1996, restoring the barn and house, which also was built in 1896. They now rent it for weddings and special events.
We hope you can join us on Sunday, October 4th!