We’re hosting a field and mill tour at Janie’s Farm and Mill! Join us at an event designed for organic curious farmers, certified organic growers seeking new markets, and anyone looking to work with a miller.
This field day is centered around the story of a lifelong Illinois farmer who built a regional grain enterprise from the ground up. Born from a single question Harold Wilken asked himself as he watched his organic wheat being hauled far from the farm, “Why is my grain traveling 700 miles to feed a chicken when there are millions of people nearby who eat bread?” A question that now answers itself everyday, as the mill’s organic flour has become a trusted staple in bakeries and pantries across Illinois and beyond.
You’ll get the opportunity to tour an organic grain farm and stone mill, hear directly from Harold and manager of Janie’s Mill, Jill Brockman-Cummings, about building a values driven enterprise, and get your certification questions answered by a local organic certifier-who is also a former organic certified farmer. From the land to the mill, you’ll experience all sides of the operation.
Agenda
- 9 am – Check-in/coffee
- 10 am – Attendees will be divided into 2 groups for tours of the farm and mill*
- 10:15 am – Tour 1 begins (1/2 of group will tour farm while other 1/2 tours mill)
- 11:15 am – Tour 2 begins (farm switches to mill, mill switches to farm)
- 12:45 pm – Lunch at The Coliseum
- 1:30 pm – Q&A with Harold, Jill, and Lorien
- 2:45 pm – Evaluation with Tooth Butter cookies and wrap up
*We’ll meet at The Coliseum in Ashkum (117 E Main Street Ashkum, IL) for check-in and coffee. Attendees will then be divided into two groups and will drive themselves to either the farm or the mill for the first tour. Carpooling is encouraged if possible. After the first tour, the groups will switch locations (farm to mill and vice versa). Once both tours are complete, we’ll return to The Coliseum for lunch followed by a Q&A session.
We hope you’ll leave the event with:
- Inspiration – A firsthand account of how a values driven enterprise can succeed in Illinois. See that organic grain farming isn’t just possible, it’s practical and profitable and built on relationships and quality craftmanship.
- Clarity – Demystify the certification process and leave with a clearer understanding of what it takes, what it costs, and whether it’s right for you. Meet a local certifier who can answer your specific questions.
- Connection – Meet other farmers who are asking the same questions you are, or who have been where you are now. Build peer relationships that last and strengthen the local food economy long after the event ends.
About our Host
Janie’s Farm Organics began in 2001 after the passing of Harold and Sandy Wilken’s oldest child, Janie. In a condolence letter, Harold was asked by a neighbor to farm his acreage organically and after 23 years of conventional farming, that invitation launched their organic journey. Today, what started as a leap of faith has grown from 700 to over 3,000 certified organic acres. Guided by their faith and Janie’s spirit, this multi-generational family farm stewards the land using the latest technology to raise organic food-grade grains, ensuring healthy soil, healthy food, and a bright future for all. They supply everyone from food processors and livestock farmers, to brewers and distillers, to home bakers seeking smaller amounts of grain and milled products. The family launched Janie’s Mill to bring their organic flour from the field to your kitchen.
Janie’s Mill is an artisanal organic flour mill founded in 2017 by Harold and Ross Wilken and managed by Jill Brockman-Cummings. The mill was custom-built by Engsko, a Danish milling company with over 100 years of experience. Their stone mill uses ancient methods to keep kernels cool preserving the bran, germ, and all the essential nutrients of the whole grain. Janie’s Mill uses stone milling to gently crush grains, retaining the bran and germ for maximum nutrition and flavor. They offer a wide range of flours, cracked grains, and berries, including specialty, organic, and heirloom grains.
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