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Local Foods, Local Farms, Local People
huge pile of heads of broccoli
Read article: Grit, grandkids and garden rows: Growing vegetables and values in Central Illinois
Grit, grandkids and garden rows: Growing vegetables and values in Central Illinois
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...
a newly born brown calf stares at the camera
Read article: Little Acres, big hearts: How the Hoffmans are building community and living off the land
Little Acres, big hearts: How the Hoffmans are building community and living off the land
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...
sunset over Panther Ridge cattle on pastures
Read article: Success of Woodford County farm fueled by faith, family time, work ethic, and Christmas spirit
Success of Woodford County farm fueled by faith, family time, work ethic, and Christmas spirit
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...
a bin full of different colors and sizes of cherry tomatoes
Read article: Fairbury farm family finds purpose in land stewardship, community connection, and faith
Fairbury farm family finds purpose in land stewardship, community connection, and faith
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...
a field of 'Warthog' wheat, an heirloom variety of hard red winter wheat - about to be harvested
Read article: McLean county small farm uses systems-level thinking, small town advocacy, farm business synergy to drive positive change in local food system
McLean county small farm uses systems-level thinking, small town advocacy, farm business synergy to drive positive change in local food system
  McLean county small farm uses systems-level thinking, small town advocacy, farm business synergy to drive positive change in local food...
colorful flowers with barn in background
Read article: Farmer-florist beautifies the lives of others one flower at a time
Farmer-florist beautifies the lives of others one flower at a time
When “farming” is invoked in Illinois, thoughts typically gravitate toward corn and soybeans. When “small farmers” are mentioned, one imagines those...
dairy cows on pasture
Read article: Central Illinois rotational grazing benefits land, cows, milk, people
Central Illinois rotational grazing benefits land, cows, milk, people
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...

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Cultivate Cook County

Explore local food production and issues in urban areas at a variety of scales in the second-most populous county in the US.

Cultivate Cook County

Hill and Furrow

Current topics about crop production in Western Illinois, including field crops research at the NWIARDC in Monmouth.

Hill and Furrow

Learn, Grow Food, Eat It

Exploring local food production and issues in urban areas at a variety of scales.

Learn, Grow Food, Eat It

Raise, Grow, Harvest, Eat, Repeat

A blog for growers, consumers, and backyard gardeners to grow, eat, and connect in the local food system.

Raise, Grow, Harvest, Eat, Repeat

Welcome to My Jungle

The "Jungle" refers to Elizabeth Wahle's personal St. Louis Metro East garden, and it provides the backdrop for her writings about building and sustaining viable food webs and ecosystems within the home landscape.

Welcome to My Jungle

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

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