Partnerships and Similar Venues

The Vehe Farm Foundation works with a wide network of partners to bring unique and interesting programs to the farm. Below are a few friends and partners of the Vehe Farm Foundation.

The Chicago Wilderness consortium is launching a multi-year campaign called "Leave No Child Inside" aimed at fostering generations of children who care enough for nature to protect it. The public relations blitz and activities organized by many of the 206 Chicago Wilderness member organizations are part of an effort that seeks to reverse the alarming trend of weakening connections between children and nature. A new Web site KidsOutside.info will be a central source of activities for adults and children as well as tips on where to go for unfettered nature discovery. The Vehe Farm Foundation has begun the initial stages of the program.

"Letting the kids simply explore, discover, and bond with nature is so important for healthy development," notes Chicago Wilderness Executive Director Melinda Pruett-Jones. The other key element for cultivating respect for nature is having a nurturing adult who shares his or her appreciation for the natural world. In 2008, Chicago Wilderness organizations will offer innovative new programs to get kids into nature. The Vehe Farm Foundation joins Chicago Wilderness in an emerging national movement sparked in large part by the publication of Richard Louv's book, Last Child in the Woods, sounding an urgent call for adults to lead children back to nature. To learn more about the Leave No Child Inside program at the Vehe Farm contact us.

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Citizens for Conservation

CFC: Mission is "Saving Living Space for Living Things" through protection, restoration and stewardship of land, conservation of natural resources, and education. CFC depends on local volunteers to work on Barrington area properties, either owned by CFC or other local conservation entities. These volunteers remove invasive plants such as buckthorn and wild rose, collect and disperse seeds, monitor wildlife and plants, and provide nature-based education for children and adults. CFC has been instrumental to the restoration of the Vehe Farm prairie and wetlands on behalf of the Village and Vehe Farm Foundation. They have donated herbicide, seeds, and volunteers along with other materials to make enhance the natural resources at Vehe Farm for all to enjoy. Please visit www.citizensforconservation.org to learn more.

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Little Garden Club of Barrington

Little Garden Club of Barrington: Mission is to "promote good gardening practices, beautify our countryside and environs, conserve our natural resources, and increase our understanding of nature's beauty." The LCGB has been instrumental in helping to make the Vehe Farm's Betty McLaughlin Memorial Butterfly Garden what it is today. With their volunteers, donation and planting of annuals and perennials, plant markers, a memorial bench, the beautiful cedar fence around the garden, and recently the funds to make the garden handicap accessible, they have enhanced the garden to attract many butterfly species for all to enjoy. Adults are aware of native plants for use in their own gardens to attract butterflies and the children are fascinated when the winged beauties fly near or on them.

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Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Mission is to "manage, protect and sustain Illinois' natural and cultural resources; provide resource-compatible recreational opportunities and to promote natural resource-related issues for the public's safety and education". The IDNR has been extremely helpful to offer a plethora of children's educational material to the Village of Deer Park and the Vehe Farm Foundation. In the barn's Museum Space are the many nature-based educational posters, activity books, Tree Trunk, and other materials for local organizations and communities to use and enjoy. The IDNR's OSLAD grant helped fund the purchase of the Vehe Farm property in 1999. Please visit the IDNR's website at dnr.state.il.us for more information regarding contests for students, educational materials for use in the classroom, teacher workshops and more.

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Illinois State Geological Survey

Illinois Sate Geological Survey mission is to "provide the citizens and institutions of Illinois with earth science research and information that are accurate, objective, and relevant to our State's environmental quality, economic prosperity, and public safety". The ISGS is a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, an affiliated agency of the University of Illinois, and a premier State Geological Survey that provides Illinois with earth science information regarding the state's environmental quality, economic vitality and public safety. It is a cultural and educational center that is ranked as one of the top ten "high-tech" cities in the U.S. Approximately 200 "scientists and technical support staff conduct basic and applied research in geology, compile geologic maps, and gather and manage the state's geological data to provide information to industry, governmental agencies and the public about the geology and mineral resources of Illinois".

In 2006, the ISGS drilled a deep aquifer monitoring well at the Vehe Farm property. The well sits under the new donated windmill and is available to local schools and organizations for water sampling, information about groundwater resources, and glacial history. Please visit the following link
www.isgs.uiuc.edu/about-isgs/monthly-repts/oct2007/actsall.shtml. Under "Geologic Mapping Effort Contributes to Local Community Education" one can view more information on the Vehe Farm well.

Inside the barn's Museum Space is a display provided by the ISGS showing site borehole sediments, sample drill bits, and local geological information for local schools, organizations, and the community to enjoy. Please visit www.isgs.uiuc.edu for more information.

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Prairie Woods Audubon Society

Prairie Woods Audubon Society mission is "as a chapter of the National Audubon Society, is to conserve the environment, to preserve wildlife and natural habitats, and to provide opportunities for education, nature appreciation, and fellowship." Prairie Woods Audubon Society (PWAS) is a new partner of the Vehe Farm Foundation. They coordinated the first Big Back Yard Bird Count at Vehe Farm in February of 2008. PWAS maintains a 7-acre virgin prairie in Palatine, IL. In addition they hold field trips highlighting bird watching and nature activities, and hold monthly meetings that are open to the public. Please visit prairiewoodsaudubon.org for more information.

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Lake County Farm Heritage Association

The Lake County Farm Heritage Association goal is "to preserve and maintain the history, machinery, and ways of the early farmers for all the generations to follow." Lake County Farm Heritage (LCFH) has been a constant partner of the Vehe Farm Foundation and is always willing to share old tractors and other farm implements for both adults and children to enjoy to Vehe Farm events. LCFH also focus on the early farm crafts of quilting, rug making, weaving, soap making, spinning, bread making, candle making, etc. Please visit www.lakecountyshow.org/association.htm to learn more.

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Barrington Area Historical Society

Barrington Area Historical Society: Mission is "to collect, preserve, document, and exhibit the history of this area and to provide specialized education programs from pre-school through adult." Founded in 1968, by local residents the BAHS is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Barrington area. The BAHS currently operates from two restored Victorian houses on Main Street in Barrington and has a complete archive facility where maps, letters, glass negatives, photos, and print material are cataloged and stored. Visit www.bahsil.org to see what exhibits and events are currently available to the public.

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Barrington Area Library

Barrington Area Library was formed in 1915 and has changed many times to meet the needs of the community. Currently the BAL has the History of Deer Park CD and photos of the 50th Anniversary of Deer Park/Barn Dedication. In addition to being an archival source, the library has held several story hour and craft hours at the barn and farm. Please check www.barringtonarealibrary.org for future story hours to be at Vehe Farm.

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Health World of Barrington

Health World of Barrington is a Not-for-profit children's outreach health and safety education provider. They offer children "hands-on" opportunities to learn about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle through state of the art structured programming. HW provides a creative learning experience that is exciting and supplements the health and safety education efforts of schools and youth organizations. Through efforts of the Vehe Farm Foundation and Health World, on behalf of the Village of Deer Park, the first outreach camps were held at the Vehe Farm and barn in summer of 2007. Health World was very generous in donating $20,000.00 worth of assets to the Village. These include, Bessie the milking cow, the interactive milk carton, children's tables and chairs, books, and much more. For current camp schedules, visit www.healthworldoutreach.org.

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