AOLC Blog

Stuck in a rut for gift ideas? Skip the stores and give the gift of a fun and educational farm experience! You'll have memories (and photos) to last a lifetime! Give a gift certificate or a class at Angelic Organics Learning Center!

Lenae Weichel, longtime volunteer and supporter of Angelic Organics Learning Center, is working toward a good food revolution. Undaunted by the state of industrial agriculture, Lenae focuses on the positive choices that nurture a sustainable food system. She explains, “I think when any of us as individuals are thinking of sustainability, the little things matter. When we participate as consumers in a local food system, it has an impact. Each individual together becomes a group, and the little choices we make every day becomes a movement.”

Farmer John's vote is in!
We had many beautiful photo submissions from our Fall Farm Photo Contest! Thank you for all who participated! It was hard to choose between so many great photographs, but we have a winner and several honorable mentions.
The blue ribbon winner is . . .

Laughter pours out of the room that women have gathered in for Swag and Sweetness Classes. The classes, serving women from Blackhawk Courts, are offered through a partnership between Rockford Housing Authority, Zion Outreach, and Angelic Organics Learning Center.

The two-month series provide residents with the opportunity to make new friendships while learning to make body care products and sweet treats. One participant, Courtney Aldridge values the fellowship opportunity.  "You get to know each...

On September 20 and 21, the Learning Center and Chicagoland Chicken Enthusiasts held our 5th Annual Windy City Coop Tour. Between periodic showers, 29 hosts reported good traffic during the 4-hour windows that they were open for tour visitors, with an estimate of 350 at all sites. 16 Hosts were new to the tour, while the others had hosted at least one previous year – and 3 hosts have participated each of the 5 years of the tour! During that time, 70 hosts in at least 26 wards of Chicago and 5 neighboring communities have opened their yards to the...

We are grateful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) for awarding a $15,000 Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant to support the Roots & Wings Urban Agriculture and Youth Development Program. The Roots & Wings network builds leadership, job skills and community through farming in the city of Rockford. Angelic Organics Learning Center coordinates the Roots & Wings network together with Rockford youth, their families, neighbors, and support organizations.

"Giving back to help our communities is...

By the Root: Food Sovereignty
An occasional post from Harvesting Justice: Transforming Food, Land, and Agricultural Systems in the Americas
 
Food sovereignty is a term used around the world to call for food systems that are just, sustainable, and democratically governed by people and communities (not corporations). Food sovereignty is not a one-size-fits all approach, or a singularly defined demand. It is an expansive, and evolving vision that looks different in different communities. Six widely accepted principles of food sovereignty include: the right of everyone to healthy food; the valuing of all those involved in growing, harvesting, and...

Janice Forrest has one of those smiles that can turn even the worst day around. Her open and welcoming heart radiates through her bright grin. Her joyful nature is a breath of fresh air to a community that has gone through hard times.

Janice has worked with Zion Lutheran Church for 5 years as the Buddy House/Blackhawk Farm Involvement Supervisor at Blackhawk Courts, a Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) community. Blackhawk Courts Farm and Garden is a partnership between RHA, Zion Outreach and Angelic Organics Learning Center.

When I interviewed her recently, she told me...