LLCC’s Green Center to host 13th annual Composting Symposium and Homegrown Fest March 19
Registrations being accepted now
Lincoln Land Community College’s Green Center is hosting the first Homegrown Fest and 13th annual Central Illinois Composting Symposium Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Workforce Careers Center on the Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. Registrations are being accepted now.
The two events bring together community members to explore topics related to food and gardening with leaders in the field through interactive educational programs. “We are excited to combine the Homegrown Fest with the Composting Symposium for the first time this year to offer an expansive selection of learning opportunities that cover the full sustainable food cycle from growing to cooking and eating, to then returning those nutrients back to the soil and growing more healthy food,” says Marnie Record, workforce specialist at LLCC.
Both events target individuals and families wanting to start or expand their knowledge and skills related to local food, agriculture, gardening and homesteading, and reconnect with traditional food traditions and culture.
Homegrown Fest grew from the burgeoning interest in eating locally, growing and preparing food, and supporting local farmers, and offers four tracks and 16 sessions on gardening, cooking, homesteading and “just for kids.” Presenters include chefs, farmers, beekeepers and home specialists.
The Composting Symposium, the first event of its kind established in Illinois, continues to be relevant as 30-50 percent of food in the U.S. is wasted, according to Record. Regional experts will share their knowledge about starting a compost, selecting an appropriate container, effective uses for compost, and calculators to make the most successful compost. The event will feature a special composting program for kids of all ages, and a Build Your Own Bin (BYOB) workshop is being offered for participants to learn more about vermicomposting and to construct their own vermicomposting bin for use at home, work or school.
Registration is $20 for both events if purchased in advance, or $30 at the door. Individuals can attend one event for $10 or $15 at the door. The BYOB workshop is $20. Lunch will be available from noon-1 p.m. for a suggested donation of $5.
More information is available at www.llcc.edu/community-workshops, which contains a link to registration, or by calling 217.786.4993 or emailing marnie.record@llcc.edu.
