Homegrown and Handmade - IllinoisTimes

For many – probably even most – people, such a degree of sustainable self-sufficiency seems overwhelming. Not everyone has the ability or the interest to tackle such a lifestyle. Niemann-Boehle knows that. For her, it’s a labor of love, something she’s willingly chosen and that gives her great personal satisfaction and fulfillment:

“When I was telling a friend about how busy I had been lately, she asked ‘When do you do anything for yourself?’ I laughed and explained that everything I do is for me. We do not have to do any of the things…in this book. That means if I am doing it, I love doing it.... The first few times I sat down to a dinner table filled with food we had grown ourselves, I was smiling so widely that it hurt my cheeks.”

But Niemann-Boehle wants people to know that it doesn’t take a lot of land to grow a lot of their own food: “The vast majority of our 32 acres is pasture; a creek winds through it. Our main garden is just about 1/7 acre. That’s not any bigger – and probably smaller – than many suburban backyards. There are rooftop gardens and chicken coops in Chicago.”

Niemann-Boehle also says that she doesn’t think folks have to or should do everything themselves. She and her husband are planning for changes that will probably include some downscaling at Antiquity Oaks now that their children are in college.

“But everybody can do something,” she says. “After all, my first successful crop was a jar of alfalfa sprouts.”

Niemann-Boehle will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Illinois Stewardship Alliance’s Harvest Celebration on Sept. 18. Copies of Homegrown and Handmade will be available for sale.

There are more reasons to sign up for ISA’s annual event. Far from a dry lecture, it’s always a wonderful time, truly a celebration. There will be a silent auction. A bountiful spread of luscious local foods will be crafted by some of the area’s best chefs, including American Harvest’s Jordan Coffey, Maldaner’s’ Michael Higgins, 5 Flavors Catering’s Chip Kennedy, The Inn at 835’s Tim McNeese, Augie’s Front Burner’s August Mrozowski, and The Illinois Executive Mansion’s Greg Volle. Illinois wines will be on hand, as well as beers from Springfield’s very own new brewery, Rolling Meadows.

State Sen. Dave Koehler will also make some remarks. He was the lead co-sponsor of the recently passed Cottage Food Bill, which enables – and regulates – small, home-based food producers so that they can sell their wares at venues such as farmers markets. Sen. Koehler owns an artisanal bakery, The Peoria Bread Company.

Tickets for the ISA’s Harvest Celebration are $65 for ISA members (a table of ten for $650), and $75 for non-members (a table of ten for $750). They can be purchased online at the ISA website, www.ilstewards.org, or by mailing a check to: Illinois Stewardship Alliance, 401 W. Jackson Pkwy., Springfield, IL 62704.