2008

The 2008 Midwest Organic Production & Marketing Conference and Trade Show — by Demeter — last modified January 22, 2008 04:02 PM

Recap and resources

The 2008 Midwest Organic Production & Marketing Conference and Trade Show Recap — by Demeter — last modified May 16, 2008 02:36 PM

Missed the 2008 Midwest Organic Production & Marketing Conference and Trade Show? Check out the resources we have online. If you would like your resource linked or added here, please e-mail mmcewen2@uiuc.edu.

Kastel Keynote — by Demeter — last modified January 24, 2008 10:24 PM

 

I-57 Corridor Recording — by Demeter — last modified January 24, 2008 10:34 PM

 

Kastel Session — by Demeter — last modified January 24, 2008 10:51 PM

 

Corn Prices Near Record High, But What About Food Costs? — by Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant — last modified February 01, 2008 02:42 PM

Higher corn prices increase animal feed and ingredient costs for farmers and food manufacturers, but will consumers undergo the same sticker shock at the grocery store?

Sustainability: What You Can Do (Urbana City Council Chambers 400 S. Vine, Urbana, from February 27, 2008 07:30 PM to February 27, 2008 08:30 PM) — by Demeter

A public forum sponsored by American Association of University Women, City of Urbana, City of Champaign, Farm Bureau, & AmerenIP. Panelists: Leslie Cooperband: Extension Specialist in Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development , John Marlin: former Chair Illinois Pollution Control Board, Brandon Bowersox: Urbana Alderman

Fight Back with Your Fork Film Series: The Plow that Broke the Plains (1934) and The Price of Bounty (1992) (Community United Church of Christ on the corner of Sixth and Daniels in Champaign , from February 23, 2008 02:00 PM to February 23, 2008 04:00 PM) — by Demeter

Two documentaries examining the environmental costs of agriculture–both politically controversial in their day. Though balanced and well produced, The Price of Bounty nearly cost some University of Illinois staffers their jobs and was dropped from public distribution when it drew fire from the fertilizer industry. Don't miss this chance to see it.

Fight Back with Your Fork Film Series: Strong Roots, Fragile Farms (2002) (Community United Church of Christ on the corner of Sixth and Daniels in Champaign, from March 01, 2008 02:00 PM to March 01, 2008 04:00 PM) — by Demeter

Produced by Farm Aid and the National Council of Churches, Strong Roots puts human faces on the complex problem of globalization as it looks at the struggles of family farmers in Iowa, North Carolina, as well as the Phillipines and Mexico.

Fight Back with Your Fork Film Series: The Future of Food (2002) (Community United Church of Christ on the corner of Sixth and Daniels in Champaign, from April 12, 2008 02:00 PM to April 12, 2008 04:00 PM) — by Demeter

Genetically engineered crops have been a part of the landscape for over a decade. The Future of Food examines their impacts on the shopppers who buy them unlabeled in U.S. grocery stores, as well as on farmers from Canada to Mexico, and the alternatives available for both.

Fight Back with Your Fork Film Series: The Real Dirt on Farmer John (2005) and Moore Family Farm - WILL Prairie Fire (2008) (Community United Church of Christ on the corner of Sixth and Daniels in Champaign, from May 03, 2008 02:00 PM to May 03, 2008 04:00 PM) — by Demeter

A moving look at a Caledonia, Illinois, community supported agriculture farmer’s history and struggles amidst an ocean of conventional thinking and farming. And, a look at how our own community has come together to support Moore Family Farm through Prairieland CSA.

PR Logo — by Demeter — last modified March 09, 2008 11:14 PM

 

Slow Food Social Event (http://www.steeplegallery.com/visit.htm, from April 06, 2008 06:00 PM to April 06, 2008 07:00 PM) — by Demeter

Slow Food Goose Creek Convivium would like to invite you to an evening of great company and great food for a great cause

Building an Illinois-Based Food System: WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? (Illinois Wesleyan University, from April 11, 2008 08:00 AM to April 11, 2008 11:30 PM) — by Melissa McEwen

PANELISTS: Carrie Edgar: Starting up and managing Quincy's innovative Locally Grown program and the economic and environmental impact of buying locally grown foods. Terra Brockman, Founder of The Land Connection: will address local food systems from the producer's perspective including the benefits and challenges related to farmland preservation, organic transitioning, farmer training, local food infrastructure, and market linking. Ann Dougherty, Founder, Learn Great Foods: will share her business expertise related to agri-tourism and marketing local foods.

Common Ground Co-Op Vegetable Gardening Workshop! (Common Ground Co-Op, from April 12, 2008 10:00 AM to April 12, 2008 12:00 PM) — by Melissa McEwen

10am to 12 pm at the co-op. Free to members; $5 for non-members. Come learn the basics of starting your own vegetable garden. Coffee and sweets will be available to start the morning off right!

LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT "Listening Session" (University of Illinois Extension – Adams County office 330 S. 36th St. in Quincy, I, from April 09, 2008 07:00 PM to April 09, 2008 09:00 PM) — by Melissa McEwen

We are requesting your help in shaping the future of an Illinois-based farmer to consumer agricultural system. In 2007, the Illinois General Assembly enacted The Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act. This Bill authorized Governor Blagojevich to appoint a 32-member Task Force, charged with putting together a plan to enhance an efficient and fully functioning Illinois local and organic, food and fiber system. Task Force recommendations will be considered by the Illinois General Assembly in 2009.

New farmer's market director promises same old tasty treats — by Melissa McEwen — last modified April 17, 2008 03:18 PM

Since it first opened in 1979, the Market at the Square has grown from just a few produce vendors into one of the largest and most diverse farmers' markets in the state. Last year, more than 150 people registered as vendors; not all show up at the same time.

Take Our Website Survey! — by Demeter — last modified April 17, 2008 03:31 PM

A brief survey on how local food websites are being used in Illinois. The purpose of this survey is to identify the most popular local foods websites in Illinois, and to understand how the Extension ASAP website can better serve community food systems activities.

Chefs savor fresh, locally grown ingredients in their cuisine — by Melissa McEwen — last modified April 26, 2008 10:19 PM

The Frontera Farmer Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes small, sustainable farms serving the Chicago area by providing them with capital development grants of about $10,000. So far the foundation has given out almost $400,000 in grants. The hope is to foster an interchange between sustainable farmers and consumers, including farmers-market patrons and chefs.

Dan Anderson - How Sustainable is Organic Agriculture? (Stephen J. Warner Conference Room, WMRC, from May 14, 2008 12:00 PM to May 14, 2008 02:00 PM) — by Demeter

Recent research provides evidence that organic food is healthier and that organic farming is often as productive as conventional farming. This presentation will explore how sustainable organic and natural farming methods are for farmer, consumers and the environment.

Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force Listening Session (, from May 28, 2008 07:00 PM to May 28, 2008 09:00 PM) — by Demeter

The Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force is coming to town, and they want your feedback on the state of the State’s food system.

Rising food prices make farmers markets a better bargain — by Melissa McEwen — last modified June 20, 2008 01:35 PM

Nick Nichols pumped $200 worth of diesel into his truck last Saturday morning to make the 63-mile trip from his farm in Marengo to the Green City Market in Lincoln Park. At $4.82 per gallon, Nichols says his fuel costs are up about 35 percent over last year. But while the rising gas prices may impact the cost of going to market for local Illinois farmers like Nichols, it may be making their produce a better buy for consumers. Food sold at grocery stores generally has farther to travel and consequently incurs greater fuel costs.

U of I's Dan Anderson on recent research about the benefits of organic agriculture — by Melissa McEwen — last modified May 25, 2008 10:29 PM

As sales of organic food increase from one year to the next, it is clear that American consumers feel good about organic farming. And the wide variety of organic products available indicates we’ve come a long way since the days of hippie farmers. But questions about organic agriculture linger—is it really better for people and the environment? And does it represent a realistic alternative to the conventional systems developed over the course of the 20th century?

Boundary Waters Veterinary Conference: Food Animal Production without Antibiotics (Vermilion Community College in Ely, MN, from August 14, 2008 05:00 PM to August 16, 2008 12:00 PM) — by Demeter

The conference will provide valuable, science-based information to veterinarians serving clients that produce and market natural and organic food animals. The conference is open to any veterinarian, veterinary student, or veterinary graduate student looking for an open exchange of information in a pristine vacation setting.

The Boundary Waters Veterinary Conference Schedule — by Demeter — last modified June 18, 2008 03:55 PM

 

Support Flooded Midwest Farmers! — by Demeter — last modified June 20, 2008 01:46 PM

The Family Farm Disaster Fund was established by Farm Aid to help farm families survive weather-related disasters. Right now we are working with farmers across the country who have been hurt by devastating flooding and severe weather in Iowa, Wisconsin and seven other mid-western states.

Honeybees 101 (UIUC Extension Services Facility on Ava Blacktop road north of Murphysburo, from June 26, 2008 06:00 PM to June 26, 2008 08:00 PM) — by Demeter

Learn about honey bees and beekeeping from beekeeper Jess Will

Illinois Stewardship Alliance Announces New Marketing Tool for Farmers in Central Illinois — by Demeter — last modified July 10, 2008 01:35 PM

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance is kicking off a local foods campaign, Buy Fresh Buy Local Central Illinois.

Local Food Not Lawns chapter focuses on homegrown produce — by Demeter — last modified June 23, 2008 01:06 PM

Mindy Hanna never had gardened before, but she has a garden bigger than her house. Hanna, who lives in the 1400 block of South Glenwood Avenue, joined the new Springfield chapter of Food Not Lawns. With the help of some other members who are more experienced in gardening, she is working on converting her lawn into a garden bountiful enough to feed her family.

Buy local, eat local: Food-borne illnesses are driving consumers to find food closer to home — by Demeter — last modified June 23, 2008 01:20 PM

In the past few weeks, Joy Weaver’s gotten pretty good at reading minds. Inside Catalpa Grove Farm Market, near Columbiana, Ohio, Weaver and other employees know just what that customer lingering near the tomatoes is wondering. Are these safe? Where are they from?