Sustainable Agriculture Entreneurship - Eli's Cheesecake

During the summer, a farmer's market--not a big one, but one at least--occurs at the Eli's Cheesecake Factory on Thursdays. This year, they are also running a lecture series with some great speakers on local and sustainable. Last week, my wife and I stumbled on the chance to hear Lloyd Nichols explain how he got started. Hint: when the other kidz were playing ball, he was tending his garden. This week (7/10/08) is Terra Brockman of the Land Connection. She will speak from 1-2 PM. Eli's is located at 6701 W. Forest Park Drive, Chicago, which is not too far from Harlem/Irving.

Upcoming lectures all from 1-2PM:

7/17/08 - Lynn Peemoeller, an urban foods planner

7/24/08 - Stan Schutte, of the organic Triple S Farm

7/31/08 - John Caveny, raiser of heritage poultry (as well as lamb and beef)

8/7/08 - Donna and Natasha Lehrer, founders of Illinois Green Pastures Fiber Co-op.

Eli's has a stand selling lunches with market produce. Last week they made paella.

PS
As I wrote this, I found out that we're having a bit of car problems. I still hope to be there tomorrow, but even if I cannot make it, you should go.

PPS
The factory itself has great deals on imperfect cheesecakes as well as samples galore. That alone is practically worth the visit.

PPPS
Is it really true that our President said the problem with the French is that they have no word for entrepreneurship?

A reminder: if you have the time/availability, this luncheon program is truly excellent. Last week Terra Brockman of the Land Connection talked toxic, emphasizing the ecological impact of eating local. This week it's Lynn Peemoeler, who I have never met, but see good things about. Look at this bio from the Sustainusa.org site:

Lynn is an Urban Food Systems Planner with an interest in farmers markets and urban agriculture. She worked for five years managing the Greenmarket program in New York City and three years managing Chicago’s Green City Market. She has worked with farmers and food systems in Hawaii and the metro areas surrounding New York City, Washington D.C., and Chicago. Lynn grows organic produce on a vacant urban lot and she sells it throughout Chicago. She went to Oberlin College where she studied Environmental Science and Geology and holds a Master’s of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Lynn is currently an officer of the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council.

Hope to see y'all there. Details on time/place in the post above.

Lynn Peemoeler talked about her experience in food policies including urban gardening, starting farmer's markets and eliminating food desserts, another in the series of interesting and informative lectures at Eli's.

Scheduled above for this week is Stan Schutte, but a schedule change has John Caveny, heritage bird farmer instead. Many of you are familiar with his efforts, especially his turkeys sold via Slow Foods. It should be a great discussion.

Mr. Caveny will speak from 1-2 PM. Eli's is located at 6701 W. Forest Park Drive, Chicago, which is not too far from Harlem/Irving.