Upper Midwest CRAFT

Alliance - Black 95X30

Upper Midwest CRAFT

UM CRAFT creates learning opportunities for farmers through the diverse talents of our local community of organic, biodynamic, and sustainable farms.

The Upper Midwest Collaborative Regional Alliance or Farmer Training (UM CRAFT) is a farmer-led coalition offering multi-year training for biodynamic, organic, and sustainable farmers and market gardeners.

 

CRAFT provides farmer-to-farmer learning and access to the social network and culture of local farmers.  UM CRAFT was established in 1997 and is facilitated in partnership between a farmer steering committee and Angelic Organics Learning Center.  Its success is simple—farmers learn most effectively from other farmers.

 

Today, UM CRAFT:

 

  • Spans central Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and southwest Michigan
  • Welcomes farmers and farming enthusiasts with all levels of experience

 

Benefits of a UM CRAFT Membership:

 

  • Field days, workshops, events
  • BiWeekly Broadcast (eNewsletter)
  • Upper Midwest CRAFT farmer listserv
  • Stateline Farm Directory
  • Discounted rates to workshops sponsored by Angelic Organics Learning Center and the Center for Agrarian Learning (CAL)

 

Not from our region?  Try www.craftfarmer.org to find an alliance near you!


The secret to CRAFT’s success is simple—farmers learn most effectively from other farmers. CRAFT provides farmer-to-farmer learning and access to the social network and culture of local farmers. CRAFT farmer alliances are diverse and may focus on these things: internships, employment, mentoring, field days, technical assistance, workshops, conferences, social gatherings, strategic business planning courses, farm incubators, and more.

 

CRAFT alliances are as diverse as the farmers who shape them and emerge from the character of the region. Farmers in CRAFT follow organic, Biodynamic, or other sustainable farming principles. They grow vegetables, livestock, and grains. They run community supported agriculture farms and sell to other local direct markets. They sell to restaurants and to wholesale markets.

 

CRAFT welcomes trainees with all levels of experience, whether you’ve never farmed before, you have significant experience and need advanced training, or you’re an established farmer seeking to transition to sustainable agriculture.

AREA

Chicago Metro Area, Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, Southwest Michigan

LOCATION

Angelic Organics Learning Center, 1545 Rockton Road Caledonia, IL 61011

CONTACT

Ritchie
ritchie@learngrowconnect.org

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