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Help Angelic Organics 'Fill The Barns With People'

By Anthony Todd in Food on Aug 9, 2013 3:15PM

Last weekend, we were lucky enough to attend a huge farm dinner at Angelic Organics farm. Awesome Chicago chefs came out to cook, Farmer John Peterson spoke eloquently about his years at the farm and guests toured around and gazed lovingly at produce. Despite all the fun, the work is not done. Angelic Organics still needs help with its mission of training people to care about the land.

The Angelic Organics Learning Center, housed on the farm, attempts to move the work of the farm beyond simple production. Over the 15 years they've been in operation, they've trained hundreds of farmers, supported the launch of new farms, helped change city policies all over Illinois and helped low-income people learn to grow and prepare their own food. At the dinner, some of those who have been helped by Angelic Organics shared their stories of hope and change. Angelic Organics Learning Center has supported urban gardening in the projects of Rockford, farming on the South Side of Chicago and beekeeping and school gardening in Rogers Park. Over 2500 people visited the farm in 2012 to learn more about where their food comes from.

Even if you weren't there, you can still help. Angelic Organics is trying to repair their barns and outbuildings so they can host even more people on the farm. Let Farmer John explain the problem himself:

Leaky barn roofs are the wrong kind of splash. The lofts went drip, drip, drip, splash, splatter, splash during this spring’s relentless rains - and we will not be able to host youth, adults and families under these conditions. Recently, a portion of the ceiling of the Milkhouse attached to the Main Barn collapsed due to water damage. Roofs that don't leak are a most important preventive measure for preserving our barns' structural integrity. Solid roofs are the first step in our project.

Take a look at the farm, the beautiful buildings and some of the food that was served last weekend. Angelic Organics truly looks like a farm out of a storybook, but keeping that way isn't cheap. If pictures aren't enough to inspire you, check this out: Farmer John has secured a number of matching donors - every dollar you contribute to their Indiegogo campaign will be doubled or tripled. Plus, you can win some pretty awesome prizes, including one of Farmer John's signature boas!

Eventually, according to Farmer John, Angelic hopes to build permanent guest structures so people can stay on the farm overnight. Fixing the existing buildings is a big start to that project. Donate and help support organic agriculture and agriculture education in Illinois.