FARM FUNDING CRISIS l Illinois Stewardship Alliance held a webinar April 16 — Farmer Call to Action Day — to raise awareness of abrupt federal policy changes that are hurting farmers

FOOD POLICY l Illinois Stewardship Alliance, the state's leading policy advocate for the local food and farm community, held its Lobby Day in Springfield April 8

FARM EDUCATION l If you are a parent looking for a new, exciting experience for your children, you may want to consider Farmers Rising's summer farm camps that will take place at its farm/headquarters,in Caledonia in the north-central Illinois countryside

FARM FUNDING CRISIS l Wednesday (April 16) is a national Farmer Day of Action to protest abrupt and unfair federal funding freezes and cut that are putting farmers at severe risk. A webinar on Wednesday will feature Illinois farmers speaking out about how they've been hurt.

FOOD NONPROFITS l Facing unprecedented challenges from federal funding freezes, the Farmers Rising farmer training nonprofit in north-central Illinois is holding a "Barnyard Blues" fundraising concert on May 17.

FOOD NON-PROFITS l To mark its 4th birthday, Local Food Forum will share proceeds from its subscription drive with nonprofit Farmers Rising

FARM EVENTS l The Liberty Prairie non-profit is holding a Spring Plant Sale and Farm Festival in Grayslake, near Illinois' northeast corner

FOOD EDUCATION l Elawa Farm Foundation, which manages a historic farm in suburban Chicago, has a new resident chef and cooking class series

FARMER GRANTS l Food Animal Concerns Trust, a livestock welfare non-profit, has announced 72 Fund-a-Farmer grants with a pool of $220,000

FARM FUNDING l Harry Rhodes of Food Animal Concerns Trust, a longtime non-profit leader, says government aid to small farmers remains needed