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Local Foods and Small Farms

Blog Posts

young tree trunk in a hole
Read article: From St. Louis Metro East: Field corrections needed in some locations after heavy rains
From St. Louis Metro East: Field corrections needed in some locations after heavy rains
June’s hot, dry conditions were conducive to spider mite flareups, particularly in tomatoes.  Ever wonder why? Spider mites are reported to be...
young apple fruits growing on tree
Read article: From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Growers preparing for the upcoming u-pick apple season
From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Growers preparing for the upcoming u-pick apple season
During the weekend of July 12 to 14 and the week of July 15, we had some farms that received quite a lot of rain and severe winds. Some farms...
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Read article: Summer cools down but stays stormy
Summer cools down but stays stormy
Monthly report by Trent Ford,...
green tomato leaves with pale yellow splotches
Read article: Leaf mold observed early in growing season for high tunnel tomatoes in Southern Illinois
Leaf mold observed early in growing season for high tunnel tomatoes in Southern Illinois
Over the last few years of growing tomatoes in the high tunnels in southern Illinois at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, leaf mold has been...

News Releases

Green grass with blue sky horizon chicken coup and chickens on grass
McHenry County Farm Stroll 2023
McHenry County Farm Stroll 2023 Offers Tours of 11 Family-Owned Small Farms and McHenry County College Student Farm Woodstock, Ill. – Come out for an autumn day in the country! On Sunday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., McHenry County will host its annual Farm Stroll, a free self-...
Bronwyn Aly and Kacie Athey in high tunnel
High tunnels extend growing season and benefit farming operations
SIMPSON, Ill. - More Illinois specialty crop growers are planting in high tunnels to extend their growing season, increase crop diversity, achieve higher yields, and improve quality. However, high tunnels come with unique challenges, including deciding on the layout and structural design, which...
Participants display their handpicked bouquets from Blessed Blooms following an on-site visit during the Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Series.
Flower business cultivates dreams into blooming reality in Fairfield
FAIRFIELD, Ill. - Combining their shared love for gardening and a desire to turn their hobby into a thriving enterprise, mother-daughter duo April Smith and Alyssa Short have transformed their family land into a vibrant oasis where rows of colorful blooms now flourish. Blessed Blooms brings...
Alexis Barnes
New Illinois Extension educator returns home to support local food growers
ST. CHARLES, Ill. — From raising animals and bees to fruit and vegetable production, University of Illinois Extension strives to help small farms thrive. This summer, a new Extension educator joins the team to specifically support local food production in Kane, DuPage, and Kendall counties....

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