GOOD PRACTICES WORKSHOPS

This free, comprehensive workshop series is designed around AUA’s Good Practices for Growing in Chicago toolkit. The goal is to provide urban farm operations with the ability to access quality training and meet industry standards, ensuring they are financially and operationally ready to scale up and meet the growing demand for fresh, local food, reduce their risk as a business, and prepare for new funding opportunities.

Workshop topics reflect the toolkit’s focus areas, including food safety practices, insurance, marketing, licensing, and budgeting. See below for the workshop series overview, and click each link for additional details and to register. For questions or to request reasonable accommodations, please contact us at ou******@au********.org!

2020 Workshop Series

Good Practices for Running Farm Business in Chicago: Zoning. Learn about the zoning policies in Chicago and how it applies to your growing practices. Access recording HERE

 

Good Practices for Running Farm Businesses in Chicago: Taxes and your Farm: Jan Schaffner, Manager of Tax Development with Compeer Financial, will share over a decade of experience in managing farm business taxes to webinar participants. Jan serves clients in every aspect of tax planning and preparation needs. In this webinar she will cover what to keep track of, identifying what is making you money, Schedule F basics, income statements, labor concerns, business structures and more. Join us to boost your tax knowledge and build your business resilience.

Access the recording HERE

 

2019 Workshop Series

 

Good Practices for Running Farm Businesses in Chicago w/ Windy City Harvest & Advocates for Urban Agriculture, December 14th: Navigating zoning, water, licensing and land use agreements can be a challenge for beginning as well as established urban farm businesses. This workshop will cover the basics of the rules and regulations for farm businesses using Advocates for Urban Agriculture’s “Good Practices for Growing in Chicago” self-assessment tool. Bring your questions and challenges and be prepared to learn how to help your business be in compliance so it can grow!

 

 

On-Farm Produce Safety Walkthrough w/ National Young Farmers Coalition & Windy City Harvest, August 27th: This on-site walkthrough and discussion will be modeled after On-Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRRs), which are free educational assessments being offered by FDA and Extension to farms that must be in compliance with FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule.