At present there are about 200 certified organic producers in Illinois. Most of are small farms catering to Illinois consumers through direct marketing. Larger farm acreages, historically devoted to cash grains, increasingly serve growing markets for specialty grains and organic livestock systems. Illinois farmers presently supply only a fraction of the local demand for organic and/or sustainably grown food. Increased access to technical information and suitable processing and distribution channels are needed to help this sector grow.

Research on Organic and Sustainable Agriculture

UIUC and our research partners are conducting research to answer questions about organic and sustainable agriculture, where sustainable practices are defined to be those that are socially supportive, commercially competitive, and environmentally sound. The relationship between specific production, processing and marketing practices and agricultural sustainability remains an open and interesting question.

Education

Students can pursue related undergraduate and graduate studies in all ACES departments, and participate in classes during the semester, or in summer research/farming efforts.

These UI student organizations are devoted local, organic food systems...

Just.Food
Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)

Consumers and Producers

Annual Illinois Organic Production Conference
ASAP Summer Field Tours
New Agriculture Network
Farm Beginnings

Contact Information for ASAP

For more detailed information on these projects and other organic resources contact us at: