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9/16/11

Celebrate World Food Day on the Farm with the Action Corps - Crop Mob to Spence Farm


Join us for the second annual Crop Mob to Spence Farm!  Sponsored by Chicago Oxfam Action CorpsWhite Oak Gourmet, and the Spence Farm Foundation, we'll be celebrating World Food Day helping out on the farm.
You'll be joining other Chicago area residents who are committed to a sustainable food supply. We'll be taking a bus from Chicago to Spence Farm 100 miles south of Chicago. Spence Farm in Livingston County was first settled in 1830. You'll be joining the Travis Family; Marty, Kris, and Will, descendants of the original settlers. We'll assist them with harvesting organic farm produce and with fall clean-up chores around the farm. Spence Farm supplies leading restaurants in Chicago like Frontera Grill and Blackbird with specialty produce and its famous Iroquois corn.
Because the farms are typically family owned and operated, most of the labor is done by hand. The term "Crop Mob" was coined by city dwellers who have an interest in sustainable agriculture and would like to help more than just by going to the farmer's market or joining a CSA. The "Crop Mob" gives the farmer(s) a valuable source of volunteer labor.
You'll need to bring the following for the trip:
  • Packed Lunch
  • Hand held gardening or pruning shears to help with the harvestng
  • Sturdy shoes or boots and a change of socks.
  • Gardening or work gloves.
  • A re-fillable water bottle.
  • A hat & sunscreen.
  • A sweater or light jacket.
  • Snacks for the trip down and return home.
  • Money in case you'd like purchase some products from the farm. 
Spence Farm will provide beverages and snacks.
Children are welcome, however, but because the bus trip is 2 hours, and the inherent risks of working on a farm, this trip is more appropriate for children over 12 years of age.
The bus will depart from City Provisions Deli & Catering, located at 1818 W. Wilson, Chicago (Ravenswood) at 9:00 a.m., so please arrive No Later than 8:30 a.m

For those traveling to City Provisions via the CTA, they are just steps away from the Damen Brown Line stop, and the Damen bus. For those in vehicles, There's parking for your car anywhere in the gravel parking lot behind the shop (please don't park under the EL! City Provisions cannot be responsible for damage caused by tar falling from the tracks). For those on bikes, there are ample bike racks to lock your bike securely for the duration of the day.

Questions, need to carpool in from the 'burbs?  Don't hesitate to phone Organizer Tom Leavitt at 847-754-0708.

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