Getting the most out of small acreage

This article was originally published on December 26, 2012 and expired on January 31, 2013. It is provided here for archival purposes and may contain dated information.

Putting a few extra acres to work can bring in additional income, provide an opportunity to experiment with a new enterprise, or develop an interest or hobby for its educational or entertainment value. How to get started is the question. University of Illinois Extension is sponsoring a series of workshops on a variety of topics to help people who have a few acres learn ways they that they can put them to use.

Putting Small Acres to Work workshops will be offered between Jan. 26 and March 16, at locations throughout Illinois. Topics will include: vegetable production, sheep and goats, timber management, high tunnel production, food preservation, making money from woodlands, pond management, bees, and cut flower and herb production.

"You don't have to own hundreds of acres to create a profitable business," said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, small farm and sustainable agriculture Extension specialist. "We developed these workshops to help people realize the possibilities that a few acres can provide."

Each workshop costs $30 per person or $40 per couple, which includes lunch and materials. Details and registration are available online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/psaw.cfm or by contacting Cavanaugh-Grant (217-968-5512; cvnghgrn@illinois.edu).

Source: Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Educator, Local Food Systems and Small Farms, cvnghgrn@illinois.edu

Pull date: January 31, 2013