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Wednesday Webinar To Pushback on Federal Farm Funding Freezes
- Bob Benenson
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Hear from Illinois Farmers Hurt by Abrupt and Unfair Cutbacks
Local Food Forum earlier today (April 11) shared an article first published by Farm Aid about a rally against federal farm funding cuts in Massachusetts, described by the organization as the first event of its kind.
That rally has become a prairie fire, as organizations across the nation unite and act as a movement about the Trump administration's abrupt and unfair actions — which includes a refusal to reimburse farmers for expenses undertaken under contract with the federal government.
Now, you can learn more about this campaign by joining a webinar on Wednesday (April 16) at 8 a.m. central, presented by Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
The webinar — titled Voices from the Field: How Federal Changes Impact Farmers & Local Food — is part of a nationwide Farmer Day of Action led by farmers of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Here is how Liz Moran Stelk, the Alliance's executive director, describes this important event:
You are invited to hear from Illinois farmers about how they’ve been impacted by USDA funding freezes, program cancellations, and tariffs and what you can do about it.
The federal funding freeze is one of many federal actions affecting Illinois farmers and local food. Cuts in crucial programming and staff cut have had a direct impact on farmers.
While some funds have been unfrozen and some staff have been temporarily reinstated, the short-term impacts have been harmful and the long-term impacts of these actions are still playing out. You'll hear the latest about what's happening at the federal level and what you can do about it.
This virtual event will be held on Farmer Day of Action, led by farmers of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.
Click below to register. All registrants will receive a recording of the webinar.
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Help Plant Trees at Tulip Tree Gardens
While Wednesday's webinar is all about putting our fists in the air to support our farm community, an event later next week is about getting your hands in the dirt.
A Tree Planting Workshop will be presented by the Savannah Institute non-profit on Saturday, April 19 from noon to 4 at Tulip Tree Gardens, 1236 East Eagle Lake Rd. in Beecher, an Illinois community located about 45 miles south of downtown Chicago.
Tulip Tree Gardens may be a familiar name if you are a regular Local Food Forum readers. Rachael and Jesse Smedberg, the farm's owners, have emerged as leaders in the region's regenerative agriculture community.
They also own Village Farmstand, the e-commerce retailer of locally and sustainably produced foods based in Evanston, IL (this valuable community resource is temporarily closed because of urgent repairs in the building where they lease).
Here is the event description from the organizers:
Join Savanna Institute this Spring at Tulip Tree Gardens to get some hands-on skill transfer with bareroot and potted tree planting! Come with a tree spade and some heavy boots, because you will get to practice planting these trees yourself.
Attendees will learn how to properly store dormant bareroot trees, prepare them for planting, and plant them in the ground, by hand.
Bareroot trees are unique in many ways: they are cheap; they are resilient; and they are easy to kill or misplant, which can lead to big problems several years after their planting date.
We will also be planting potted trees to see the difference! We will finish off our tree planting by installing two kinds of deer protection: tree tubes and wire cages, and talking about the pros and cons of each.
The event is guided by Illinois Agroforestry Educator MJ Oviatt and Illinois Technical Assistance Provider Tonia Andreina. Start your season strong with some friendly silvicultural instruction and agroforestry camaraderie with fellow tree enthusiasts.
Click the button below to register for this fun and informative day outside.
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