Agritourism, authenticity, abundance ...

Fruits, veggies and tourism ... oh my ... and so much more!!

I have had the privilege of spending the last two days among some of Illinois' finest specialty and organic crop growers, folks who own and manage orchards, pumpkin farms, berry patches, wineries to name a few, plus tourism professionals who actively promote agritourism in our state. I would list all of the businesses and supporting organizations by name, as well as the tourism entities, but since my elbow continues to be in the healing mode, and the doctor said one of the main things I still can't do with the right hand is type/write, I'm doing the blog with my left hand. It would take forever, and more importantly, I would be afraid someone would be left out. At the end, I will give you a website or two as a reference point for going to find some of these fine places!

All this great connecting happened at the Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference during the annual conference held at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. It is one of my favorite events of the year, actually. I think that is in large part, due to the people who participate.

These business owners are authentic, down-to-earth, people who are passionate about their businesses, have wonderful stories to share and are willing to do just that. Often they are family-owned businesses, 2nd, 3rd and even 4th generation. You'll find everything from herb gardeners to vegetable farmers to apple orchard owners. In fact, yesterday, I was sitting at a table for lunch with two couples, one couple who has both vegetables and livestock had to leave, and then four men joined us, representing three different, family-owned apple orchards, and they were all laughing and talking together. The husband of the younger couple that was still sitting at the table mentioned that one day he'd like to include an orchard as part of his business (currently produces vegetables). Immediately, he was offered advice, tips, words of wisdom from the men in each of these established orchards. The enthusiasm for the giving and the receiving of the information created a level of high energy!

At the banquet, I sat at a table with a woman about my age whose job situation has changed. She is seriously contemplating getting into the field of vegetable growing. She came to the conference to absorb information. Without even having to ask, she was being introduced to people who could help her, given ideas of how to get started, invited to "come out to the farm" to see how others run their operation.

In going to this conference for the last four years, as a speaker on the agritourism marketing track this year and two years ago, and watching the natural interactions the attendees, and even the exhibitors have with one another, makes me want to see them with their customers in their element! I find that agritourism folks are easy to talk to, easy to get to know, easy to like! You want to visit their operations to learn more, see more, meet the rest of their families and employees, pet the animals, ride on the hay wagons, pick an apple ... red, green or yellow! Walk through the pumpkin patch and find the perfectly shaped, big, bold orange pumpkin that suits you! Let the sweet aromas of the bakeries tickle your nose and tease your tastebuds. You know what I'm talking about - apple pies, peach cobblers, donuts. Or maybe you prefer a nice bite of creamy fudge, the sweet taste of an ice cream cone or one of my favorites, an apple cider slushie!!  Gonna add it to my list this year ... make a point to visit these places : ) Since many are seasonal businesses I'll have to check 'em all out and make a plan depending on the schedules.

Since writing/telling stories about people is really my favorite thing to do, maybe there's a project in the making here. I think I'll find a grant to allow me to write a book about all the family-owned agritourism businesses in Illinois. Could promote it in Illinois Country Living and local newspapers, through the various tourism outlets, etc. Wonder if any of the businesses would be interested in participating in that kind of a project, be willing to have me spend time at their site, with them, their employees, customers? I think I've got some research to do! How exciting!!! I love new ideas and I love the agritourism businesses!

Wanna find out more about who might have been at the conference? Go to: http://www.specialtygrowers.org. You'll find a list of ISGA members with links to their websites! Start making your plans to go visit their sites, it will add abundance to your life! Maybe I'll see ya there!

Have a fabulous weekend!
Lisa

Day full of blessings ... God, Brenna

Felt God's presence at church today the minute I walked in! I don't know what was different, maybe it was my open heart, open mind and positive attitude. More likely it had to do with God answering the prayer I prayed on my way in ... for forgiveness for all my faults and sins, for the time I waste, for my lack of focus on the important things of life, for my busyness. I prayed for God to help me get out of my own way as I drove the short trip to church. While I enjoyed the worship and reflection music today and the words of the songs really moved me, that was only part of it. Enjoyed visiting with a couple of the college kids today and hearing the excitement of their Under The Cross (UTX) ministry and new Coffee House venture and hearing them brag on my daughter, Kristian, who is part of that  ministry and venture say she apparently makes the best coffee ever! They have even invited me to speak at one of their Coffee House nights! It was the great conversations, laughing, worshiping and fellowshipping with friends and praise team members today at rehearsal, during services and between services.

And, the message really struck a chord with me today ...  it was on TIME ... Coincidence? I think not!! It was delivered by Dr. Rev. Joseph Eby and really spoke volumes to what has been tugging at my heart and making my mind spin out of control lately.  And there it was ... I have been trying to take control ... mistake #1! Today, I surrendered that control and was quiet/still, and listened to others and especially to God, rather than the rattling of my own mind, the sound of my own voice. How refreshing!!

In the message Joe used an acrostic:

Treasure your time (are you making your time count?)
Invest in others
Manage yourself
Enjoy the gift (of time)

One of the things I had the privilege of spending time doing this afternoon after church was participating in a prayer service for Brenna Westlake, a beautiful little angel that has been touching hearts and lives in the three short weeks that she has been on this earth! She was born with a rare skin condition that puts her life at risk. The service for her was uplifting, moving and focused on the Body of Christ and how we are all a part of that body .... each of us, along with this fragile gift that God sent to Courtney and Evan Westlake, Brenna, and her brother Connor.

It really all comes full circle doesn't it? Our time on this earth, what it means, and what we do with the minutes that our loving Faher gives us. I think about what this one family has been doing ... Treasuring every precious moment of time; Investing in Others .... they are following God's plan/purpose and sharing it with the world; Managing themselves ... they are managing their life with all the right priorities in place and people available to help them get thru it .... time management and self-management are not easy, for sure. And they are Enjoying the gift of time ....going right back to treasuring time! Yep, full circle!

Check out Brenna's blog: http://blessedbybrenna.blogspot.com ... it will be time well spent, as will time with God!

Wishing you an amazing week!
Lisa

No ... we don't have to do it all ...

Did I just say that? Wow, I did, and I meant it! I am reflecting on 2011 and as a result reviewing my lists for 2012 and prioritizing what I will be juggling on my crazy-full plates. I have seen a drama done in church a number of times in which the characters are trying to juggle out-of-control, spinning plates. That's what I've been doing for years; juggling so many different things -- typically by my own choosing -- trying to give attention to everything, but not necessarily enough, or fulfilling the duties or responsibilities of the various roles that I've been "spinning," from personal to professional, but not paying attention to the details. Sometimes even the pleasures of life suffered because of the unbalance. The roller coaster has to slow down, the plates need to be filled in the right proportions.

So, this year, I'll be pruning, downsizing, decluttering, whatever you want to call it ... getting life re-balanced and more in control. Already taking the appropriate steps to experience life in the way God intended, with joy, hope, laughter, faith, family and friends. So excited about it, too!

Life is going to be more intentional, less fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants. Relationships more personal. Business/work more fulfilling. Church/ministry more God/faith-focused and called! Finances better managed. Writing more frequent, leading to published works, speaking engagements and touched hearts.

How are you approaching 2012?

Happy New Year!!
Lisa