Farm Crawl fundraiser this weekend around southern Illinois

Recharge your batteries in the great outdoors this weekend at the annual Neighborhood Co-op Grocery Farm Crawl fundraiser from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12.

On the way you'll meet cute farm animals, including alpacas, goats and chickens; sample local food, wine and products, and see how the food you buy is grown and harvested, all while supporting our local food economy. Participating farms include Buffalo Bluffs Hemp Farm, Wichmann Vineyard, Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch, Big Muddy Hogs, All Seasons Farm, The Flock Farm, Bison Bluff Farms, and Back Achers Farm.

Sponsors include Fork & Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar, Southern Illinois Healthcare, AES Solar, Blue Sky Vineyard, and the Daily Egyptian.

Presented annually by the Neighborhood Co-op Grocery and Food Works, a nonprofit organization facilitating the development of a regional food economy in southern Illinois, this family-friendly event brings people together to visit local southern Illinois farms, learn the history of each participating farm, and see how high-quality, locally-grown, and locally-sourced products move from farm to market.

The Neighborhood Co-op Grocery Farm Crawl is a self-guided tour, allowing attendees to visit participating farms at their own pace for $20 per carload. Car passes must be purchased in person at the Neighborhood Co-op at 1815 W. Main St. in Carbondale. All proceeds benefit Food Works.

Activities will include guided tours exploring organic processes, sustainable farming practices, alternative energy, and more. The farms feature alpacas, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, chickens, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Children's activities will include feeding farm animals, scavenger hunts, coloring and drawing pages, and plenty of opportunities for play. Many farms will have items to sample and/or purchase.

The Neighborhood Co-op will follow the latest CDC guidance on masks and social distancing to keep attendees safe. However, each farm will determine if masks are required.

For more details, visit neighborhood.coop/2021farmcrawl or call (618) 529-3533.