The Conservation Foundation will host its 20th anniversary Day at the Farm event at Dickson-Murst Farm at 2550 Dickson Road in Montgomery from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 23.
Visitors can get a taste of what farm life was like in bygone days at event, organized by the all-volunteer Dickson-Murst Farm Partners, according to a Conservation Foundation press release.
The free event will feature children’s crafts and activities, hayrides, barrel train rides, farm equipment and harvesting demonstrations, face-painting, a chance to meet farm animals like Ellie the mini-cow and her baby Toffee and more, the release said.
Antique trucks and tractors will be on display, and all of the restored historic farm buildings at the site will be open for exploration, organizers said.
DuPage Forest District selling trees, shrubs
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is offering 48 species of native trees and shrubs as part of its annual fall sale.
An online catalog is available at www.dupageforest.org. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability, a news release said.
Shoppers can pick up their orders from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Friday, Sept. 11, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at St. James Farm, near Winfield and Butterfield roads in Warrenville.
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No additional plant sales will take place at the farm on those days, the release said.
Available plants were grown locally from seeds originating within 100 miles of DuPage County and tolerate Illinois weather. Planting in the fall gives trees and shrubs an extra growing season before the stress of summer, the release said.
Sale proceeds support forest preserve district educational programs.
Loaves and Fishes expands healthy food access
Loaves & Fishes Community Services is using a federal community development tool that is expected to generate about $2 million to help the organization expand access to healthy food.
Loaves & Fishes has closed on a New Markets Tax Credit transaction, which helps attract private investment and bring development funds to distressed areas or areas that serve a low-income population, a news release said.
The funding is part of the organization’s $15 million Nourish Together campaign designed to serve more residents in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties. Food insecurity has increased by more than 50% since 2019 in Loaves & Fishes service area, which serves about 10,000 people a week and is the largest food pantry in the state, the organization said.
As part of Nourish Together, the organization will expand its Aurora Food Distribution Hub and increase its ability to serve more people with fresh, nutritious food closer to home, according to the release.