Speaking & Activism

Jody & Beth are both experienced teachers and speakers, as well as very involved in a variety of food and farm related organizations. 

Beth Osmund: Farmer – Educator – Local Food and Farming Activist

Peer to Peer Education

Extension Risk Management Education National Conference (Presenter 2023)
Center for Agrarian Learning (Panelist 2020)
CRAFT Farm Beginnings Caledonia, IL (Presenter 2008, 2010-2023)
Extension Risk Management Education National Conference (Presenter 2015)
Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) (Presenter & Panelist 2013)
Moraine Valley Community College (Presenter 2013)
National Women in Agriculture Conference (Presenter 2010, 2012, 2014)
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute East Troy, WI (Farmer Faculty 2008, 2009, 2010)
Personal Mentor- Robin Jameson, Walnut Acres Family Farm (2009)
Midwest Organic Conference, Champaign IL (Presenter 2008)
Great Lakes CSA Conference Ontario, CA (Presenter 2008)
National Resources Conservation Service Farm Tour (Host Farm 2008)

Activism & Outreach

Illinois Stewardship Alliance- Dishing on the Farm Bill (Host 2022, 2018)
Illinois Stewardship Alliance – Virtual lobby day (Host 2021)
USDA BFRDP Grant Reviewer (2011, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Board Member Slow Food Chicago (2013-2016)
Keynote Speaker Northwestern University Sustainability Summit (2015)
Slow Food National Leadership Conference New Orleans, LA (May 2013)
Slow Food Delegate to Terra Madre, Turin Italy (2012)
Logan Square Farmer’s Market Advisory Panel (2011)
Local & Sustainable Food presentations at multiple urban and rural community venues (2005-present)
Hosted Farm Tours – Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm (2007 – present)
Soup & Bread at the Hideout  (Guest Chef 2010, 2011, 2012)
PepsiCo Chicago Earth Day Chicago, IL (Exhibitor 2009)
Food Resource Bank Earlville, IL (Exhibitor 2009,2010, 2011, 2012)
Peoria IDEA Farmers Market Manager Workshop  Peoria, IL (Panelist 2008)
Green Earth Institute Naperville IL (Exhibitor 2008)
National Resources Conservation Service Farm Tour (Host Farm 2008)
Chicago’s Green Festival Chicago, IL (Exhibitor 2007)
Family Farmed Chicago, IL (Exhibitor 2007)
Ottawa Farmer’s Market Advisory Board Ottawa, IL  (Member 2006)
Logan Square Farmer’s Market, Chicago, IL
CRAFT Steering Committee (2005)

Monthly CSA newsletter (2005 – present)
Webmaster www.cedarvalleysustainablefarm.com

Jody Osmund: Farmer – Educator – Local Food and Farming Activist

Founding Member Band of Farmers (Chicagoland CSA Coalition) (2014)
Delegate, Slow Meat Conference (Slow Food USA) (2014)
Grant Reviewer – Food Animal Concerns Trust (2012, 2013, 2014)
Illinois Stewardship Alliance Grassroots Policy Advisory Committee (2010, 2011, 2012)
Illinois Local Food, Farm, and Jobs Council appointed by Governor Quinn  – Infrastructure Work Group (2010, 2011, 2012)
Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) (Presenter 2013)

Family Farmed Expo  Chicago, IL ( Presenter 2010)
Chef/Farmer Forum , Geneva, IL (2010)
Developing  Food Policy: U.S. and International Perspectives  – Farmer Representative  Yale, New Haven, CT (2010)
Lincoln Park Green Team – Sustainable Agriculture Presentation, Chicago, IL (2010)
State of the Plate Conference –Chicago, IL (2010)
Green 2010 Sustainable Families – Presenter , Joliet, IL
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute East Troy, WI (Farmer Faculty 2008, 2009, 2010)
CRAFT Farm Beginnings Caledonia, IL (Guest Instructor 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Natural Resources Conservation Service  – Farm Tour (2009)
Founded GreenFarmers (the North Central Illinois Farm Network) (2008)
Midwest Organic Conference, Champaign IL (Presenter 2008)
Northern Illinois University (NIU)  Life Long Learning Institute –  Presenter, DeKalb, IL (2008)
Midwest Organic Conference  –  Presenter, Champaign, IL (2008)
New American Farm Conference, USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research  and Education – Kansas City, MO (2008)
National Resources Conservation Service Farm Tour (Host Farm 2008)
CRAFT Steering Committee (2005)
Organized, raised funds, and lead farmer relief team for two week trip to SW Louisiana assisting rural recovery from hurricane Rita. (2005)