2012 Highlights
Throughout the year, an ongoing highlight was bringing great meat to you, our wonderful members. We could not do any of this without you and we want to say thanks, as always for making what we do possible. We didn't become farmers because we were activists, but we've become activists because we see the need for more farmers, more infrastructure and more consumers w
ho have access to good clean and fair food.
Winter 2012
In January we added 3 new delivery locations, at the Lakeview and Edgewater locations of Uncommon Ground Restaurant and in south suburban Frankfort.
Jody and Duncan attended the MOSES conference in Feb. and had a great time hanging out with friends (and I think Jody went to some workshops too :-) Jody accepted a leadership position on the board of the IL Food Farms & Jobs Council.
Spring 2012
The whole family had a great time at the InHome (homeschool) conference in March. And later that month Beth traveled to Memphis to speak at the National Women in Agriculture Education conference. While she was gone Jody & the boys went to Springfield to participate in Illinois Stewardship Council's annual Local Food Lobby Day.
In April our meat chickens began arriving, launching us into the annual busyness that is know here as "Chicken Season"
In May Jody helped select grant recipients for the first annual FACT Fund-a-Farmer grants. (Deciding among worthy projects to give money to is tough work, but fun!)
Summer 2012
June brought more of the usual...more deliveries, more chickens, more soccer, more heat...repeat.
Then July - Inn Serendipity Reunion *YEAH*! Our annual 4th of July trip to spend a few days visiting friends, camping, and generally relaxing. Thanks to our FANTASTIC staffer Justin, we were able to be away and know that the animals were well cared for, even in the extreme heat. July was also notable for Richard's week in Chicago, interning at the Field Museum (made possible by members Barbara & Neal).
August saw Duncan go to his first sleep away camp (Mom was more worried about it then he was.), LOTS more heat, and very little rain. The drought's impact on our farm was mitigated by a great deal of extra work keeping chickens supplied with cool water. It was a tough summer, but overall we did OK.
Fall 2012
September brought the VERY EXCITING news that Beth would get to attend Terra Madre as a delegate.
In November the family spent a day at the Chicago Toy & Game Show, where Duncan participated in the Young Inventor's Challenge. We had a great time, and got a jump on Christmas shopping!
Finally, December found us presenting to the State-line Farm Beginnings class and participating in Illinois Stewardship Alliance's annual meeting.
As always, a busy, hectic, fun filled, fulfilling year!
