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Up one levelNew Agriculture Network
New Agriculture Network is a collaborative project between the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, Purdue University, Iowa State University and organic growers in these states. It was initiated in 2004 to facilitate information exchange between researchers and organic growers or growers interested in transitioning to organic practices.
Bevier Cafe
Bevier Café is a Student Operated Laboratory in Quantity Food Preparation and Service, located in Bevier Hall on the UIUC campus. Chef Jean Louis-Ledent is making a concerted effort to incorporate locally grown food into the Café’s daily menu. Most professional chefs recognize the superior quality of local food, but if Chef Jean Louis and Jill North (co-manager of the Café) had any doubts, they were swept aside after hosting a local foods conference. Not only was fine food served, but attendees met local farmers and learned first hand how the food was grown. Now a Bevier Café menu featuring local food distinguishes it from other dining establishments on campus.
Farm Beginnings
Farm Beginnings is a year-long educational training and support program designed to help people plan and begin sustainable farm enterprises. Participants begin with 10 winter seminar sessions that focus on goal-setting and planning for profit. They are then offered a variety of hands-on experiences in the spring, summer, and fall, during which they network with successful, innovative farmers through apprenticeships, mentorships, field days and conferences. Farm Beginnings™ also helps beginning farmers create links with experienced farmers through farm partnerships, land and equipment use and/or rental. Instruction is geared towards small-scale operations, the kind needed for strong, local food systems. Small scale producers, like those coming out of the Farm Beginnings™ program are precisely the type of farmer that is likely to participate in developing a local food system. UIUC's involvement, in terms of coordination and speakers, represents an investment in a future local food system in Illinois.
Allerton Diversified Farm
The Diversified Farm is a model, diversified, small-scale farming operation located at the University of Illinois’ Allerton Park, near Monticello, Illinois, and is run by the Office of Continuing Education at the UIUC. The farm produces a wide variety of vegetable crops used by the Allerton Conference Center, and is also used for various programs, one of which provides internships for students seeking farming and marketing experience. The farm’s manager is Todd Statzer, an experienced grower and marketer, who has plans to diversify the farm’s enterprises into agri-forestry products and farmer training sessions to teach producers how to start and operate alternative farming enterprises for a strong local food system.
SARE
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program is part of USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) and administers a competitive grants program. ASAP hosts the North Central Region’s sustainable agriculture coordinator, who is charged with actively promoting, educating, facilitating, and networking with audiences interested in receiving SARE grants (there are four grant programs: research and eduation, professional development, farmer/rancher, and graduate student). Information about each of the grant programs is distributed electronically and in print to Extension personnel, NGO’s, and various state and federal agencies.
Just Food
Just Food is a student organization with the objective of renovating the university and community food systems. Many of the group’s ideas center around the formation of a student run farm. Using organic farming practices the students wish to produce a variety of vegetable crops, as well as herbs and flowers. Students will learn about growing practices, processing and packaging, marketing, and preparation of produce that is local and sustainable. One related idea is the facilitation of a summer gardening class, attended by children in the community and taught by residents of the Clark-Lindsay Village. The farm may also be home to community gardens, a Student Farmer’s Market, the introduction of local food into the dorms, and student education on various food issues.
Prairie Rivers Network
Prairie Rivers Network strives to protect the rivers and streams of Illinois and to promote the lasting health and beauty of watershed communities. By providing information, sound science, and hands-on assistance, Prairie Rivers helps individuals and community groups become effective river conservation leaders.
Nitrogen Testing The Illinois soil N test (ISNT)
This test, developed within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences to estimate potentially mineralizable organic nitrogen, will bring about a shift from yield- to soil-based management of N fertilization. The result will be higher N use efficiency, with major economic and environmental benefits.
The Dudley Smith Initiative
Dudley Smith Researchers at the Dudley Smith Farm in Christian County are investigating extended pasture rotations with beef cattle integrated into conservation-based row crop production. Cattle graze three types of pasture during the growing season. The goal of this system is to produce forage for cattle year round without reliance on external feed sources. Cash crops provide additional income.
Illinois Agronomy Handbook: Alternative Crops
Chapter contains information on growing, managing, and selling alternative crops in Illinois.
Miscanthus Research at the University of Illinois
The first side-by-side trials of miscanthus and switchgrass in the U.S. were established on the new South Farms at the University of Illinois in June, 2002. Yields achieved so far indicate that if miscanthus were grown on 10 percent of Illinois farmland, it would provide 50 percent of the state’s electricity, and at current energy prices would be highly profitable to Illinois farmers. Research on environmental impacts is underway.
Illinois Farm Direct
Directory that helps connect consumers to over 600 local farmers in Illinois and 200 farmers markets. Consumers can search by location or by specific products. The site also contains information about relevant local food topics.
Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture
Resource of producers. Contains fact sheets, information about starting and running a business, and MarketMaker, an interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets for agricultural products in Illinois.
Local Harvest
A nationwide directory of farmers markets, co-ops, farms, CSAs, and more. Search by zip code or by specific product.
Urbana Farmer's Market
Every Saturday morning May 12th thru November 10th from 7:00 am until noon on the southeast lot of Lincoln Square, Downtown Urbana (Corner of Illinois & Vine Streets).
Eat Well Guide
Find food in your neighborhood and when you travel that is healthful, humane, better for the environment, and that supports family farmers.
Soyface
SoyFACE (Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment) is an innovative facility for growing crops under production field conditions in an atmosphere that is anticipated for the middle of this century, namely one with higher levels of carbon dioxide and ozone. SoyFACE is designed to discover the effects of atmospheric change on the agronomy and productivity of Midwestern crops as well as to find solutions that will lead to crops better adapted to this future
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
A home page that offers documentation on alternative farming methods found at the National Agricultural Library.
Market Maker
An interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Illinois, providing an important link between producers and consumers.
The Cornucopia Institute
The Cornucopia Institute is dedicated to the fight for economic justice for the family-scale farming community. Through research, advocacy, and economic development our goal is to empower farmers both politically and through marketplace initiatives.
The Rodale Insitute
The Rodale Institute works with people worldwide to achieve a regenerative food system that renews environmental and human health working with the philosophy that "Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People
Organic Consumers Association
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children's health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics.
The Organic Center
Promote a new found understanding of the health and other benefits of organic foods and production through a comprehensive set of credible, peer-reviewed scientific studies that highlight and underscore the "organic difference."
The Organic Center
Promote a new found understanding of the health and other benefits of organic foods and production through a comprehensive set of credible, peer-reviewed scientific studies that highlight and underscore the "organic difference."
Building Capacity in Illinois Watersheds
Candidates Answer Farm Bureau Questions
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