About Us

Our Commitment

The Local Food Systems and Small Farms team is dedicated to providing education, resources, and programming that helps Illinois residents safely produce, grow, and consume locally produced agricultural products. From beekeeping to fruit production, and from learning how to run a small farm to marketing your farm products, our educators want to help small farms in Illinois thrive.

Be Part of the Future of Farming in Illinois

Farming is changing. For more than 100 years, University of Illinois Extension has trained small-scale and commercial farmers to meet the challenges they face. Be part of the future of farming in Illinois by taking a few minutes to fill out a survey online at go.illinois.edu/AgNeeds.

The anonymous survey is open to all Illinois producers, and agriculture industry professionals now through March 2022. It will take 10-20 minutes to complete. The responses will help Extension agriculture educators develop trainings on topics and research projects that ensure the long-term sustainability of Illinois agriculture.

Our Staff

Sarah Farley

Sarah Farley

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Extension Educator
Keywords
Agriculture
Animal Science
Composting
Entrepreneurship
Farm Business Management
Food Access
Local Foods and Small Farms
Small Farms
Beef Cattle
Community Garden
Food Safety
Livestock
Pasture
815-338-3737
Doug Gucker

Douglas B. Gucker

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator
Keywords
Agricultural Safety
Local Foods and Small Farms
Small Farms
Master Naturalist
Integrated Pest Management
Insect Pests
Certified Crop Advisor
Sustainable Agriculture
Bees
Corn
Environment
Lawn Care
Livestock
Native Plants
Soybeans
Trees
Urban Gardening
Vegetables
Wheat
Beneficial Insects
217-877-6042
Headshot of Extension educator Kathryn Pereira

Kathryn Pereira

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator
Keywords
Urban Agriculture
Farm Business Management
Sustainable Agriculture
Marketing
Business Development
Composting
Entrepreneurship
Local Foods and Small Farms
Community Garden
Farmers Markets
Economic Development
(773) 233-2900
Kacie Athey

Kacie Athey

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Keywords
Entomology
Faculty
Insect Pests
Integrated Pest Management
Invasive Species
Beneficial Insects