Regional Projects

2008 Flood and its Impact on the Midwest — by John E. Marlin — last modified December 01, 2008 10:53 AM

The effects of soil erosion and deposition on agricultural production and food stability. Captioned photo slideshow by Dr. Ken Olsen

2008 Flood and its Impact on the Midwest — by John E. Marlin — last modified December 01, 2008 10:53 AM

The effects of soil erosion and deposition on agricultural production and food stability. Captioned photo slideshow by Dr. Ken Olsen

Study Compares Organic and Conventionally Farmed Soils — by John E. Marlin — last modified December 01, 2008 10:50 AM

Larry Phelan of Ohio State discovered that plants grown in biologically active and complex soils, like those farmed organically, are more resistant to drought, pests, weeds and nutrient spikes.

Goose Creek Slow Food Potluck (Salt Fork Center Homer Lake, Homer IL, from December 07, 2008 01:00 PM to December 07, 2008 04:00 PM) — by John E. Marlin

 

Draft Report from the Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force — by Elise Benveniste — last modified December 08, 2008 11:58 AM

Dear Local Farm and Food Colleague - As promised a few weeks ago, attached is the Draft Report from the Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force. This is only the body of the report (no appendices) and is 33 pages long. We hope that you will have time to review it, to respond to the questions (attached), and to return your comments to us no later than Friday, December 12, 2008. We apologize for the short review period, but the process is taking longer than thought and our work must be completed shortly to meet the Illinois Department of Agriculture's and next year's legislative deadlines. Send your comments to: Debbie Hillman and Jim Braun DLHillman@sbcglobal.net jbraun2525@yahoo.com This has been a two-year process begun October 2006 when State Rep. Julie Hamos agreed to write a piece of legislation to reflect the broad interests of Illinois' local farm and food movement. HB1300, the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act, was entered into the General Assembly in February 2007 and was passed unanimously that June. We have attached the complete bill (2 pages only) so you can frame your comments within that context if that is helpful. The Task Force was appointed by the Governor in December 2007 and has been meeting since January 30, 2008. Our goal is to present the General Assembly policy and funding recommendations that will actually jump-start a fully-functioning Illinois farm and food system. The Report provides the background for the Recommendations. Once the report is complete, Rep. Hamos will draft legislation for next year's General Assembly to, hopefully, implement the Task Force recommendations in Section VII of the Report. If you wish to review any aspects of the Task Force process over the last 8 months, you can see the membership, meeting minutes, committee reports, etc., on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. http://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/Mkt_ILOFFTaskForce.html This request for input is going out to over 50 people nationwide representing a diversity of cultures. We will obviously not be able to include all suggestions but solicit your input because we respect your expertise and experience. This is hopefully just the beginning of a much greater on-going process. Thank you for your help. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. Debbie and Jim Debbie Hillman and Jim Braun, Coordinators Illinois Local & Organic Food & Farm Task Force DLHILLMAN@sbcglobal.net 847/328-7175 JBraun2525@yahoo.com 515/229-2679

Embed test Beyond NPK: Tipi Produce's Soil Fertility Strategy — by John E. Marlin — last modified December 11, 2008 12:40 PM

Some description here.

Are you Producing and Selling Food near Champaign? Learn the Local Regulations Here. (, from January 13, 2009 06:30 PM to January 13, 2009 08:30 PM) — by John E. Marlin

If you are producing and selling foods to consumers, then you need to know the rules and regulations that govern the direct-marketing of farm products . . . That’s why The Land Connection and the University of Illinois Extension are collaborating to host Food Rules workshops.

Are you Producing and Selling Food Near Peoria? Learn the Regulations Here (, from February 12, 2009 06:30 PM to February 12, 2009 08:30 PM) — by John E. Marlin

If you are producing and selling foods to consumers, then you need to know the rules and regulations that govern the direct-marketing of farm products . . . That’s why The Land Connection and the University of Illinois Extension are collaborating to host Food Rules workshops.

New Secretary of Ag and Climate — by Kate Galbraith NYT Dec 17 — last modified December 18, 2008 10:04 AM

 

Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference (, from January 08, 2009 12:00 PM to January 10, 2009 12:00 PM) — by John E. Marlin

For those within striking distance of St. Joseph, MO, the high tunnel workshop at the Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference will be well worthwhile.

International 'Transition Town' Movement Reaches Illinois — by Dr. Gary Cziko — last modified January 04, 2009 04:52 PM

 

Registry Flyer — by John E. Marlin — last modified January 23, 2009 10:11 AM

 

Change and the Heartland: Climate, Environment, Energy, and Food — by Michelle Wander — last modified February 02, 2009 08:17 AM

ASAP has taken the lead on this project for the ECI; Michelle and John will be the content and copy editors

Canada Thistle Control in Raspberries — by Dan Anderson — last modified March 06, 2009 07:02 AM

Dennis Norton, Royal Oak Farm, Harvard, IL

two Qs for you — by Michelle Wander — last modified January 29, 2009 06:44 PM

two Qs for you

Canada Thistle Control in a Chemical-free Fruit and Vegetable Farm — by Dan Anderson — last modified February 11, 2009 10:36 AM

Teresa Starks, Williamsville, IL

Perennial Weed Control in a Chemical-free Integrated Crops and Livestock Operation — by Dan Anderson — last modified February 11, 2009 10:40 AM

Margie Anglen, Miller Stock Farm, Paris, MO

U.S. Senate Voting On Farm and Rural Amendments to the Economic Recovery Bill — by John E. Marlin — last modified February 05, 2009 01:02 PM

The U.S. Senate is debating and voting on amendments to the massive economic recovery bill on Thursday and Friday and possibly into Saturday. Several farm and rural amendments are at stake

Tony Hulls 2 — by Dan Anderson — last modified February 09, 2009 05:53 AM

bull thistle on the tony hulls organic dairy

Tiny Greens Organic Farm Seeks Live-in Volunteers : Central Illinois — by John E. Marlin — last modified February 10, 2009 04:25 PM

Located in an idyllic, 30-acre, partially off-grid, sustainable-living community in Urbana, IL. Work includes all manner of manual labor and planning involved from seed to harvest and maintaining grounds.

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