Tiskilwa Historical Society Hosts September 13 Road Trip to Hungry World Farm

In the farmland, timber, and native prairies two miles southeast of Tiskilwa, Hungry World Farm aspires to educate people about “healthy fields, food, and bodies while caring for the Earth.” On Sunday, September 13, the Tiskilwa Historical Society will host a tour at HWF, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

In this pandemic time of restricted gatherings when the society’s monthly programs have been canceled, the Board conjured up this road trip. They are inviting the community to this interesting venue, since people can drive themselves to the event and be in the open air of a farm.

"What's all the fuss about? Baa. Ram. Ewe." On September 13, Tiskilwa Historical Society will host a road trip to Hungry World Farm, where participants can meet the animals and learn more about the group’s methods and goals. (Photo by Stephan Rauh)

The vision for Hungry World Farm starting becoming reality late in 2017, when members of Willow Springs Mennonite Church in rural Tiskilwa initiated plans to purchase land and form a team of lead farmers, interns, directors, and volunteers. Since then, HWF has grown into a special group with a focused mission.

The grand opening for Hungry World Farms was held two years later, on September 28, 2019. “There’s the recognition that as humans, all of us have hungers in our lives — hunger for food, hunger for relationships, and a deep spiritual hunger as well,” said Cal Zehr, pastor of Willow Springs.

For interns, HFW seeks hard-working, team-oriented individuals, 18 or older, who want to participate in and learn about holistic farm management. They have arrived from all over the United States and the world with a commitment to serve at HWF for two to six months.

Using the farm as a textbook for healthy, sustainable food production, a number of future activities at HWF will include seminars in gardening methods, heritage grains, grain milling, local habitat, hillside prairie preservation, and canning. Sometime in our COVID-free future, HWF plans to host retreats for guests to learn about caring for all the hungers in their lives. As indicated in their name, one of their major objectives is to help alleviate global food needs through education and experiential learning about sustainable nutrition. Their website is hungryworldfarm.earth.

Those who find touring HWF a good way to spend this Sunday afternoon can follow their GPS to 19183 Plow Creek Road, Tiskilwa, or meet at the Museum on Main around 3:45. Participants should plan to drive their own vehicles and to bring a face covering. Depending on the number of guests, the visitors will divide into three or four groups for tours. As with all the society’s programs, this event is free and open to the public.