Local Foods, Local Farms, Local People

Home Blogs Local Foods, Local Farms, Local People

Latest Posts

Grit, grandkids and garden rows: Growing vegetables and values in Central Illinois

August 5, 2025

During a recent visit to the Bloomington farmers market, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks. It was a perfectly formed, large, yellow cauliflower on a farm vendor’s table. It seemed to pull me into the vendor’s booth like a magnet. Cauliflower is one of my family’s favorite vegetables to...

Finish this story

a newly born brown calf stares at the camera

Little Acres, big hearts: How the Hoffmans are building community and living off the land

November 21, 2024

In the heart of Livingston County, Hoffman’s Little Acres stands as proof that a small farm can have a big impact. From treating a sick Jersey cow to bottle-feeding her newborn calf, Anna Hoffman’s social media posts caught my attention with their raw look at the dedication it takes to run a farm....

Finish this story

sunset over Panther Ridge cattle on pastures

Success of Woodford County farm fueled by faith, family time, work ethic, and Christmas spirit

August 7, 2024

The next installment of my tri-county farmer interview series brought me to Panther Ridge Farms, owned and operated by Ashley and Nathan Hodel. Their farm, in El Paso, IL, spans 23 acres and is surrounded by the rolling hills and valleys of the Mackinaw River watershed.Ashley and Nathan, along with...

Finish this story

a bin full of different colors and sizes of cherry tomatoes

Fairbury farm family finds purpose in land stewardship, community connection, and faith

May 31, 2024

When I arrived at Garden Gate Farms in Fairbury, Illinois for another farmer interview, I immediately knew it would be a very interesting story. It was a cool spring morning, and I had my windows down. I’m glad I did. On the way up the driveway, I smelled freshly blooming lilacs, saw a handful of...

Finish this story

a field of 'Warthog' wheat, an heirloom variety of hard red winter wheat - about to be harvested

McLean county small farm uses systems-level thinking, small town advocacy, farm business synergy to drive positive change in local food system

April 2, 2024

McLean county small farm uses systems-level thinking, small town advocacy, farm business synergy to drive positive change in local food system Sometimes it is good to take a step back and look at things from the 30,000-foot view, as the saying goes. If we allow ourselves (as farmers,...

Finish this story

two chickens cuddle together in pasture grass

Farm couple cultivates success by combining vegetables, poultry, and philosophy

January 19, 2024

A cacophony of duck quacks, chicken clucks, and goose honks announced my arrival at the Little Farm at Weldon Springs, a quarter mile down the road from Weldon Springs State Park. Poultry Manager Anna Morell chased a basset hound named Roux around the yard while Rue tried in vain to catch...

Finish this story

colorful flowers with barn in background

Farmer-florist beautifies the lives of others one flower at a time

December 29, 2023

When “farming” is invoked in Illinois, thoughts typically gravitate toward corn and soybeans. When “small farmers” are mentioned, one imagines those who grow vegetables and fruits or raise livestock for regional markets. But when I came across the term “farmer-florist”, I was unsure what to think...

Finish this story

Central Illinois rotational grazing benefits land, cows, milk, people

November 24, 2023

Milk is one of the most ordinary grocery store items in the United States. An entire industry is based around this liquid commodity, with tens of thousands of farms across the country that feed into it. Used for everything from cereal to pancakes, protein shakes, and lattes, many people enjoy milk...

Finish this story

Urban homestead makes yard useful: Interview with Useful Yard Company

October 19, 2023

Homesteading provides a unique life path, and it is growing in popularity. The lifestyle focuses on self-sufficiency and natural settings, from growing produce and raising livestock to using natural remedies and beekeeping. For Bloomington residents Chris Stenger and his wife Sarah, urban...

Finish this story

Fair Shares Combined CSA benefits farmers, consumers, and community

June 17, 2022

In 2007, sisters Jamie Choler and Sara Choler Hale were picking up their weekly box of vegetables from Biver Farms. They were part of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in which the customer agrees to pay the farmer upfront and picks up weekly “...

Finish this story