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Illinois' Janie's Mill Donating October Profits to Help American Indians

  • Writer: Bob Benenson
    Bob Benenson
  • 3 days ago
  • 2 min read

All Profits from Sales of Corn Products to Be Donated to First Nations Non-Profit


Organic corn growing on Janie's Farm in Danforth, a community in east-central Illinois. The Wilken family, which owns the farm, also produces a wide range of organic flours and whole grains at Janie's Mill, located in nearby Ashkum. 2023 photo by Bob Benenson
Organic corn growing on Janie's Farm in Danforth, a community in east-central Illinois. The Wilken family, which owns the farm, also produces a wide range of organic flours and whole grains at Janie's Mill, located in nearby Ashkum. 2023 photo by Bob Benenson

Harold Wilken of Janie's Farm is a trailblazer for the rising organic and regenerative grain farming community in Illinois and beyond.


Now partnering with his son Ross, Harold started converting his family's conventional farm in Danforth, Illinois to organic almost a quarter century ago (when this was very rare); created Janie's Mill in nearby Ashkum to produce his own farm's flours and whole grains as well as those from other sustainable growers; and persuaded a number of conventional farmers to transition to organic.


As you can probably tell, I'm a big admirer of Harold and his family, and I'm always happy to share when they are doing something exceptional. So I'm highlighting an amazing offer from Janie's Mill. Keyed to Indigenous Peoples Day on October 13, Janie's Mill is donating all profits from its October sales of corn products to the First Nations Development Institute.


Janie's Mill says that this is "a time to acknowledge the people who lived here for untold generations before our ancestors arrived." They continue, "We are indebted to Native Americans for many things, in particular corn. Without millennia of plant breeding by Native peoples, we would not have corn.... The more Janie's Mill corn products you buy during October, the more we donate . . . and the more great breads, cakes, and meals you'll enjoy. Win-win-win!"


First Nations Development Institute provides grants for Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments, Stewarding Native Lands, pursuing Native Economic Justice, and more.


Click the first button to visit the Janie's Mill website, and the second to learn more about First Nations.



And please read Local Food Forum's recap of the American Indian food and farming panel that was presented at Farm Aid's Farmer Focus in Minneapolis on September 18, a day before its annual festival and concert. Gain insights from American Indian leaders, including Minneapolis Chef Sean Sherman, also known as The Sioux Chef.



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