Local foods and small farms

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Blog Posts

Our local food system through the eyes of bread
One recent Saturday morning, I awoke to an amazing aroma coming from my kitchen. It was slightly sweet, yeasty, and tangy, all at once. The smell was...
Broomcorn Research at University of Illinois
When you consider the common field crops in Illinois, it is no doubt that corn (Zea mays) has heavily influenced on agriculture.  However,...
A holiday wreath hangs on red barn doors
Find joy in holiday gift giving while supporting your local farm community
Imagine owning and running the business of your dreams, and not being in control of one of the most stressful aspects of a business: the cost of...
Red kuri, delicata, and acorn squash in wicker baskets with pie pumpkins.
Purchase more than pumpkins this season: Discover the savory side of cucurbits
Imagine your last visit to a beloved family home, arriving as a freshly baked pumpkin pie was pulled from the oven. If you take a moment, I bet you...
Interesting and Brief: A History of Apples & Their Uses
When local orchard branches are laden with delicious jewels of fruit, the apple season has arrived. Before sinking your teeth into this year’s...
green-blue oat grass with oats maturing
Let plants do the work, it's time to plant fall cover crops
Illinois vegetable growers are entering the toughest six weeks of the year. Despite the seasonal demands, soil health depends on timely planning of a...
Kristen Dimas standing in the humming bird habitat at Southside Occupational Academy
Southside Occupational Academy horticulture program seeds community
Kristen Dimas, a life-long gardener, used 2020 to invest in her education by completing two University of Illinois Extension training programs in...
Fair Shares Combined CSA benefits farmers, consumers, and community
In 2007, sisters Jamie Choler and Sara Choler Hale were picking up their weekly box of vegetables from Biver Farms...

News Releases

Tomatoes on a vine
Southern Illinois series highlights diverse farming enterprises
SIMPSON, Ill. - Do you grow and sell fresh products locally? Are you considering diversifying your farming operation? Would you like to get to know your local farmer? Join University of Illinois Extension educators as they team up with area farmers to provide four monthly evening meetings to...
caucasian man in hat standing in field holding pink flowers
Fields of dreams: From 4-H to cut flower grower
​NORTHERN ILLINOIS – When Local Foods Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty is looking for inspiration, he makes his way to Clara Joyce Flowers. There, farmer Drew Groezinger inevitably has something new going on. There are high tunnels being...
ginger plant laying on a bed of straw
The spice is right? Researchers explore growing ginger in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. Ask an Illinois farmer what specialty crop to grow to get the most bang for their buck and they will likely say tomatoes. Ask Chris Enroth, and his answer might surprise you – ginger. This tropical plant may seem out of place in a state known for growing row crops, but its...
Back view of a man with a smoker in his hand approaching urban beehives
Urban beekeeper's planned expansion pays off during pandemic
URBANA, Ill. – Approaching the hives along the Metra tracks on Chicago’s south side the smell of grass smoke intensifies as Oscar Villa, beekeeper, and owner of Bee-utiful Honey, waves his smoker. “Don’t worry, come closer. Young bees tend not...
youth help plant tree at the Food Forest in Normal, IL
An edible forest takes root in Normal
NORMAL, Ill. – The Refuge Food Forest in Normal is an urban demonstration site for the University of Illinois woody perennial polyculture research. U of I Extension partnered with the Town of Normal, the Savanna Institute, and Midwest Agriculture & Restoration Services to create the first ...

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