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Your go-to source for the latest updates, discussions, and insights on locally sourced food and sustainable practices.

Bob Benenson

1 day ago1 min read

For Farmers Looking to Scale Up, These Workshops Could Help

FARMERS: For small-scale farmers seeking to grow into wholesale markets, a series of workshops across Illinois will share valuable info...

Bob Benenson

2 days ago4 min read

Winter is Prime Time for Farming Community Conferences

FARMING CONFERENCES l Winter is farm conference season. Learn about four major upcoming gatherings, two each in Wisconsin and Illinois...

Bob Benenson

6 days ago5 min read

Dairy Farmers Raise Sustainability Focus to Parry Environmental Critics

DAIRY AND SUSTAINABILITY l Critics of livestock farming say it contributes to climate change, but dairy farmers say they get a bad rap...

Bob Benenson

Dec 22, 20243 min read

Change and Continuity in Farm Aid's Leadership Transition

FARM AID l Carolyn Mugar, Farm Aid's executive director since its founding, is retiring, as is longtime associate director Glenda Yoder...

Bob Benenson

Dec 19, 20242 min read

Going with the Grain: Conferences Highlight Rise in Sustainability

SUSTAINABLE GRAIN l The rise of sustainable grain farming — a major trend — is the topic of winter conferences in Wisconsin and Illinois...

Bob Benenson

Dec 16, 20241 min read

Inviting Photos from Opening Day at the Ravinia Indoor Farmers Market

FARMERS MARKETS l It was news this past weekend when Ravinia Farmers Market in suburban Highland Park IL went indoors for the first time....

Bob Benenson

Dec 15, 20242 min read

Illinois Hemp Growers Push Back on Key Legislative Issue

HEMP l Illinois Hemp Growers Association pushes back on the governor's support of a bill they say would hurt small farms and businesses...

Bob Benenson

Dec 14, 20242 min read

Meet Renee Davis, Green City Market's Interim Executive Director

FARMERS MARKETS l Chicago's Green City Market has named veteran non-profit leader Renee Davis as its interim executive director...

Bob Benenson

Dec 11, 20241 min read

Brand-New Winter Market in Highland Park Debuts This Weekend

FARMERS MARKETS l A longtime pillar of the Chicago area's farmers market community is adding a winter market that kicks off on Dec. 14...

Rachel Berry

Dec 9, 20243 min read

Cultivating Change: Empowering Illinois Through Hemp Reform

HEMP INDUSTRY l Rachel Berry of Illinois Hemp Growers Association reports on the group's pursuit of legislative reform to boost growth...