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U. of I. Extension launches Meet Your Farmer series; receives $1,000 for local trials at St. Charles station
Summary
Alexis Barnes of University of Illinois Extension announced a May–August Meet Your Farmer series, a May 18 event at Barbic Farms, and said her program won a $1,000 Illinois Vegetable Growers Association award to support zinnia and muskmelon variety trials at the St. Charles Horticulture Research Station.
Alexis Barnes, the University of Illinois Extension local food systems and small farms educator serving DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties, told the board she will run a "Meet Your Farmer" series through the growing season and requested help recruiting participating growers. The series is slated for May, June, July and August; Barnes said the first event is May 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at Barbic Farms in Wayne.
Barnes said the series is a scaled-down alternative to a full-day farm-stroll event and is intended to showcase specialty-crop and small livestock operations in Kane County. She listed potential participating operations including Glory Gardens (Michelle DeRage), Clients Quality Produce, Rustic Road Farms, Straum Family Farms and others. Board member Roth asked for an email blast to promote the May 18 event; Barnes said she would send details to county staff once marketing materials are ready.
In addition, Barnes said her program received $1,000 from the Illinois Vegetable Growers Association to conduct research at the St. Charles Horticulture Research Station. She said she plans a zinnia cut-flower and muskmelon variety trial to study whether zinnias attract beneficial insects that can help control squash bugs and cucumber beetles, a common pest concern for cucurbit growers in the county.
Barnes also thanked event supporters and noted proceeds from a recent 4-H pork-chop dinner help support 4-H, SNAP-Ed nutrition and master gardener programs. She said the master urban farmer training program will run again in the fall and that she will return to the board with additional details in July.
No formal action or vote occurred. Board members recommended outreach through the county newsletter and social channels, and staff indicated the county would help circulate event notices.
