Rock County Progressives host program on building local food systems

spaulding-tom

The Rock County Progressives focus their attention on the rise of industrial scale farms.

“Wisconsin communities are increasingly being threatened by the rise of industrial scale farms, CAFOs, producing massive pollution, mistreating animals, and engaging and unsustainable, unhealthy farming practices.” said Chuck Ogg of the Rock County Progressives. 

“Therefore we are excited to have Tom Spaulding speaking at our upcoming forum on a viable alternative, building local food communities.  Tom is the Executive Director of Angelic Organics Learning Center in Caledonia, Illinois, where they offer workshops and educational programs in Rockford and Chicago. The Learning Center now reaches more than 5000 people annually and has graduated more than 250 sustainable farmers.”

This event will be held on Wednesday, September 13 at the Basics Cooperative Natural Foods Store in Janesville.  This is an independent event not affiliated with Basics.  The speaker will begin at 6:30 PM, doors will open at 6 PM. This event is free and open to the public.”

Angelic Organics Learning Center was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and partner to Angelic Organics farm in 1999. Executive Director, Tom Spaulding, and his wife, Neddy Astudillo, joined forces with Biodynamic farmer, John Peterson, and a team of farmers/volunteers to foster a vibrant local food economy. They offer workshops, coordinate the Upper Midwest CRAFT farmer training alliance, and educational programs in Chicago and Rockford. 

Angelic Organics Learning Center now reaches more than 5,000 people annually and has graduated more than 250 sustainable farmers.  Upper Midwest CRAFT includes more than 100 sustainable farms, coordinates urban growing, cooking and leadership programs and works to transform local, state and federal policies. Farm tours and customized programs are available for children, adults, schools and community groups. And a newly renovated lodge is almost open!

Tom Spaulding, Executive Director, of AOLC, in Caledonia, IL, has provided leadership since 1999. Tom has an MA in international economic development, has led educational initiatives for than 25 years, has managed federal grants from USAID, USDA and other agencies since 1988, and has worked on and managed rural and urban farm enterprises in Latin America.