From farm to mill to your belly, come see how grains get from field to food with Marbleseed’s Farmers of the Year, Harold and Ross Wilken. Tour Janie’s Farm and Mill and partake in local treats and lunch featuring the farm's grains. We will hear from researchers and farmers about the agronomic aspects of producing food-grade small grains in an organic system as well as from the folks who turn the yields into food for their community. We will also hear from some of the young producers who are working to build and maintain this local grainshed and continue to connect farms directly to the people they feed. Space will be limited, so register early for what will surely be an awesome day at the farm!

The agenda for this field day is: 

• 10-11 a.m. Introductions and light breakfast (coffee and baked goods will be served).  
  • Representatives from OGRAIN, Marbleseed, Artisan Grain Collaborative, and Illinois Extension will briefly share programs and resources for farmers. 
  • Ellen King from Hewn Bakery will discuss working with Janie’s Farm and Janie’s Mill to provide the best baked goods to her community. 
  • Dr. Jessica Rutkowski will give a wheat breeding update and discuss her work in small grains improvement at the University of Illinois.  
• 11 a.m. -12 p.m. Farmer Panel  
  • Young Organic Farmers Support Group Panel.  Ross Wilken will moderate a panel featuring the next generation of organic farmers. 
  • Learn about the challenges and opportunities presented as they work to feed their communities. This is the future of organic, and it is a bright future indeed.              
• 12-1:30 p.m. Lunch and social time  
  • Time to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. Sandwiches will be provided (bread from Hewn bakery), potato salad, chips and salsa. Vegan options available.  
• 1:30-4 p.m. Travel by wagons to nearby grain fields for some content and discussion in the field.
  • We will visit wheat, corn and soybean fields to learn more about how the Wilkens manage the organic acres they steward, see some of the grain handling equipment, and watch the Weed Zapper in action (from a safe distance of course). 
  • Dr. Carl Rosier of Basil’s Harvest will discuss the connection between soil health, nutrient dense food, and human health. A demonstration soil pit will help describe the work he has engaged in on Janie’s Farm and the benefits to soil health that result from good organic management. 
• 4-6 p.m. Optional visit to mill.
  • You can travel the roughly three miles from the farm to the mill (now that’s local food!) to see how the grain becomes goodness.
  • Beverages and snacks (made from Janie's Mill flour) will be provided. Products will be available for sale and advance ordering is preferred. See details above for ordering. 

Harold and Ross Wilken own and operate Janie's Farm Organics, a multi-generational family farm using the latest technology to raise hybrid and heritage food-grade grains. They serve large and small food companies, as well as many brewers and distillers, with their certified organic corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, oats, buckwheat, and other grains.

Advance registration is closed. Walk-ins are welcome.

This event will take place rain or shine.

This field day is co-sponsored by Marbleseed, Janie's Farm, Artisan Grain Collaborative, OGRAIN, Illinois Extension, and UW-Madison Extension Emerging Crops Coalition. 

 This field day is supported by NIFA, USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.