2025 Field Days

Field Days provide an excellent opportunity for small farmers, homesteaders, and home gardeners to connect and learn from one another. During the event, the hosts will guide the group on a brief farm tour, with a focus on a particular successful or challenging aspect of production that they can share with the group. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and share their own experiences during the event.

Field Days are free and open to the public, and a donation of $10 is appreciated but not required. Registration is mandatory, and you can RSVP either by visiting www.fwsoil.org/field-days or calling (618) 370-3287.

Field Days are organized by the Southern Illinois Farming Alliance, which is a program of Food Works (www.fwsoil.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to promote long-term farming networks that create healthy soils, healthy food, and healthy communities across the 23 counties that comprise Southern Illinois.

2025 Field Days Schedule:

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Past Field Days - 2025

Poultry Processing Workshop @ The Flock Farm, Anna, IL

Join us for a two-day chicken butchering workshop at The Flock Farm in Anna, IL, hosted by the University of Illinois Extension. This hands-on event is ideal for anyone wanting to learn safe poultry processing techniques at home. Led by experienced farmer Brent Glays, participants will work with heritage breed chickens and gain valuable skills.

Topics covered include poultry processing methods, meat labeling, and packaging best practices. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm to learn in a supportive environment! Click the link to register!

Improving soil and pasture health with rotational Regenerative Grazing of multiple species of livestock

This Pasture Walk at Fresh Pasture Farms, LLC in Millstadt, IL, gave attendees the chance to meet farmers Wade, his wife Jamie, and his parents Norman and Sandy Sutter, who explained how rotational grazing improved soil health and animal wellness.

Guests enjoyed a tour of their beautiful farm and learned about their sustainable practices. Afterward, they stayed for a tasty, locally sourced meal and lively conversation about regenerative grazing!

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Rotational Grazing Practices on a Multi-Species Family Farm

Food Works and the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition hosted a Pasture Walk at The Flock Farm in Anna, IL. Led by farmer Brent Glays, the event demonstrated the benefits of rotational grazing management. Participants learned how the farm enhanced soil health and livestock well-being while rotating various heritage breeds over 37 acres. Attendees enjoyed a locally sourced meal afterward. It was a great opportunity for anyone interested in sustainable grazing practices.

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Past Field Day Archives

Our mission is to promote long-term farming networks and community knowledge. We are proud of the work we did in the past and continue to build upon those efforts.

You can explore our archive of past field days and workshops to learn more about the topics, farms, and partners we've worked with.