What We Do
The Local Growers Guild is involved in many projects throughout the year, helping promote local foods in many different ways throughout Indiana and the United States. Here are some of the projects and events we coordinate.
Winter Guild Gathering – January
The Winter Guild Gathering is an annual day-long event offering opportunities for long-time practitioners and new farmers to connect with each other and learn new growing techniques. Some workshop offerings are geared towards the general public and community supporters of local foods, while others give growers a change to delve deeper into topics that might help them extend their season, build their capacity to support themselves with specialty crops, or develop value-added artisan products. Most workshops are conducted by members of the LGG, experts in our region who have valuable information and expertise to share.
Previous workshop topics include:
Using unique foods
Specialty crops
Wildcrafting
Layout and plant selection for the back yard garden
Labels and logos with a focus on value-added foods
Water Systems – wells, ponds and irrigation
Winter growing – extending the season
Supporting the next generation of farmers
Urban agriculture
Composting
Vermiculture
Introduction to permaculture
Small animal husbandry
Starting a New Farm School
CSA Day – February
CSA Day is an event designed to educate community members about what CSAs are available as well as provide a forum for grower members to promote their CSAs.
Local Growers Guide – Spring
The Local Growers Guild (LGG) publishes a guide containing information about where, how, and why to buy local food in southern and central Indiana. Free copies of the 2011 Guide are now available from retailer members of the Guild, as well as at other locations around south central Indiana. The guide includes profiles of our member farms, a list of CSA programs offered in the area, information about our member retailers who offer locally grown food, a listing of area farmers’ markets and local food resources, and information about why it’s important to eat locally.
LGG Annual Meeting – Summer
Our Annual Meeting is s potluck than gives guests a chance to visit, learn about the LGG, and tour a local farm.
Potluck at Liberty Pastures Family Farm 2011
Past hosts of the annual meeting include Schacht Farm, Creekbend Vineyard, Howard Family Farm, and Liberty Pastures Family Farm.
Going Local Week – September
Going Local Week is a collaborative campaign between the Local Growers’ Guild and Local First Indiana. Designed to strengthen Bloomington’s local economy by supporting and celebrating local growers, restaurants, businesses, and organizations, Going Local Week is part of an annual statewide effort inspired by a blog written by Victoria Wesseler of Lebanon, Indiana. See Victoria’s blog, Going Local, to learn about events during Going Local Week all across Indiana related to the local food movement.
Harvest Dinner Fundraiser — October or November
Five local chefs are paired with local growers to present this one-of-a-kind event, celebrating the abundance of Indiana’s fresh in-season foods. Diners will enjoy a delicious five-course meal, meet other locavores, and hear participating growers and chefs share their thoughts about the ingredients and preparation of each spectacular locally-grown course.
Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 9:00am to 12:00pm
December 3, 2010 to March 31, 2011 (closed Dec 25 and Jan 1)
Harmony School (909 East 2nd Street)
The Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market is an opportunity to buy directly from local growers during the winter months. Our cozy indoor market features local products, live music, and chef demonstrations. Join us for breakfast and buy local produce, meats, baked goods, dairy, flowers, wreathes, gift items, and more!
