Support for the Farmer's Market

The kick off for the Farmers Market was special this year in that we were able to formally thank all of our partners in the community for their help in getting the LINK program (formally the food stamps program) accepted at the Glenview Farmer's Market. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Glenview Noon Rotary, Glenview/Northbrook Kiwanis, The Friends of Wagner Farm, Glenview Women of Today, the Glenview Park District Board of Commissioners and State Rep. Dan Biss. Our other partner in the project was Glenview State Bank.

So here's what why I think this is super special. Back when the idea of Wagner Farm taking over the Farmer's Market came up, I thought it was an outstanding way for the Farm to help foster a greater sense of community. It's about relationships...relationships between the farmers and the consumers, the residents and their park district and even between the residents themselves. I get a great amount of satisfaction from watching all the interesting conversations that take place here. I would like to think that real friendships have come about because of the shared interest in the market.

The ability to accept LINK means that we are leading the way in reaching out and inviting everyone in the community to come and be a part eating healthy and supporting local agriculture. Because food at the Farmer's Market can tend to be just as expensive, if not more, we have a special program in place where LINK users get double value for their benefit dollars. Say if you come and spend $10 you automatically get a match of $10. Double your money! This effort was made possible by the donors I listed at the beginning of this post. This is a win-win for our whole town and the farmers too. So if you know anyone out there who uses LINK tell them about our program and invite them to the Glenview Farmer's Market. You don't have to be from Glenview either. We have 15 more market weeks left!

Opening Day at the Market

Summer is the greatest. At Wagner Farm, we jump right into the season with the Dairy Breakfast, our summer camps, the opening of the soda fountain and we kick off the Farmer's Market. This year we have over 20 vendors and farmers coming to the market. We also will continue with a special community spotlight booth, green table, chef demonstrations and musicians that change each week.

This past weekend we kicked off the 16-week season. The weather was great and we had about 1,300 customers come by. If you are interested in learning more about the Glenview Farmer's Market click here.

Say Cheese!

Our campers had a very special treat this week. A good friend of the farm, Betsy Urven, came down from Wisconsin to teach the kids how to make cheese. Each child took turns measuring out the rennet, separating the cheese from the whey, pouring the concoction into a cheesecloth to drain, and then had the chance to try out their creation! Everyone had a great time and the farm staff even get to enjoy the leftovers.

Dollar Drop In Activities for the Week of June 27

DAILY ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 27

Monday, June 27 10-11 am: You be the Judge-Cows
3:30-4:30 pm: Paint a Pot and Plant a Seed
Tuesday June 28 10-11 pm: Be a 4Her for an Hour
4 pm: Storytime
Wednesday June 29 10-11 pm: Meet a Chicken
3:30-4:30 pm: Play Farm Animal Bingo
Thursday June 30 10-11 pm: Prizes in a Haystack
4 pm: Storytime
Friday July 1 10-11 pm: Meet the Team: Grooming and Basic Care for Horses

Lamb training

Last night our 4-H club partnered with the Country Bumpkins club for a lamb training session. To be a good showman it takes years of practice and a lot of work. One of the stand out showman at the Lake Country Fair has been Haley White. She volunteered to pass on some of her tips to the kids. One of the things I really like about 4-H is the fact that a lot of the skills are passed from the older kids to the younger ones through demonstration and having them help each other. The 4-Hers worked on how to set up their lambs, what the judge is looking for and how to get their animals show ready. It was also a great time for the kids of the different clubs to work together and get to know each other. It is funny how fast kids make friends. Thanks to Haley, Suzy and all the participants last night. A special thanks to Susan and the other Glenview moms who supplied supper last night despite there not being electricity in Glenview.

Thank you Egg Harbor!

Smell something good at the farm last Saturday? Those great smells at the annual Dairy Breakfast were brought to you courtesy of Egg Harbor of Glenview! Egg Harbor has been a loyal partner on this event for years and we couldn't do it with out them. So, thanks guys. See you next year.

Mud

Here is one critter who is happy about all the mud on the farm left from last night's rain.

More Smiles from the 2011 Dairy Breakfast

From milk-chugging to cow pie-tossing, a good time was had by all this past Saturday at the 2011 Dairy Breakfast. Over 1,000 visitors enjoyed hot pancakes, wagon rides and sunny skies. Special thanks to all the staff and volunteers who make this event one of the very best around.

Dollar Drop In Activites for the week of June 20

DAILY ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 20

Monday, June 20 10-11 am: Preparing for the Show
3:30-4:30 pm: Make a Muddy Pig
Tuesday June 7 10-11 pm: Up the Magic Stairs
4 pm: Storytime
Wednesday June 8 10-11 pm: Musical Milk Pails
3:30-4:30 pm:Wheat Grinding Demonstration
Thursday June 9 10-11 pm: Raising Market Lambs-pick your favorite
4 pm: Storytime
Friday June 10 10-11 pm: Make and Take a Baby Chick Cookie

2011 Dairy Breakfast - Good Times & Good Food!

Join us this Saturday!

Come and get it! If hot pancakes, tasty sausage and fluffy scrambled eggs sound good to you, come to the farm from 8 am- 1pm this Saturday, June 18 for our annual Dairy Breakfast (proudly sponsored by Egg Harbor of Glenview). Tickets are available at the door for just $10 for adults and children over 10, $5 for kids 2-10 years, children under 2 are free. Wagon rides, farm tours and hands-on activities will keep you busy after your belly is full. See you there!

Summer cut

The lamb girls and I have been busy giving shear jobs to the flock. While our lambs are not of the wool producing type, they are a lot more comfortable when they get the inch or so of wool off their backs. We will shear them again right before the county fair so they look good in the show ring.

Storytime with Mary Beth

Come on out every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at 4:00 for some wonderful farm themed stories and songs!

Planting up a storm

With a break in the weather we were able to get a lot of planting done. Like most Illinois farms, we are way behind in getting seed in the ground. While the garden plants should do fine, the corn fields may be in trouble. Most of the corn takes 100-120 days to fully mature from seed to harvest. The issue is not having enough time on the back end to fully finish the growing season before the first frost in the fall. If it is an early frost then the corn plant dies and the maturing process stops with a lot of work left undone. Luck for us I have a feed store on speed dial!

First day of camp

With school out in Glenview it is time to start summer camps. Welcome back campers!

Just back

I have been away from the office for a week at the national museum conference in Weston, West Virginia. This conference was sponsored by the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums. I was asked to present two papers at the conference which was a real honor. Having never been to a national conference it was a great chance to meet so many new people in the museum field. One of the highlights was getting to talk with the farmers from Colonial Williamsburg. Having been a visitor there many times it was great to hear some of the behind the scenes stories. I do have to relate another high point even though most people are making fun of me for it. As you can see in the picture I won a pink ribbon. At the conference I entered the national plowing competition. I had never done anything like this before. There was one team of horses and we all had to use the same plow. We were judged on straightness of the furrow, consistency of depth and style. Yes we were judged on plowing style. I am very proud to say I placed 6th! Jon Kuester from St. Charles, Illinois cleaned up and took the blue ribbon. Watch out Jon I'm going to practice for next year.

Dollar Drop In Fun

Dollar Drop In programs have started off with a bang! Come out and join in the fun!

Dollar Drop In Activities for the Week of June 6

Good news, we've added afternoon dollar drop-in activities from 3:30-4:30 pm every Monday and Wednesday. Also, don't forget to stop by every Tuesday and Thursday for storytime with Miss Mary Beth – free of charge!

DAILY ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 6

Monday, June 6
10-11 am: Come Meet the Cattle Herd
3:30-4:30 pm: Come Meet a Chicken

Tuesday June 7
10-11 pm: Come Meet the Pigs
4 pm: Storytime

Wednesday June 8
10-11 pm: Butter-making Demonstration
3:30-4:30 pm: Make a Mud Pie

Thursday June 9
10-11 pm: Making a Home for a Lamb
4 pm: Storytime

Friday June 10
10-11 pm: Cream Separating Demonstration

Spring work has resumed!

After all the rain we've been getting we thought Wagner Farm would have to start growing rice! Luckily, though, Mother Nature has cooperated with us and planting has resumed. Our heirloom gardeners have been hard at work getting their vegetables planted, and Jeff and Patrick spent the afternoon planting corn. Let's hope all this rain provides us with a mighty bounty for the fall!