SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A vibrant local food and agriculture system is essential to building strong, healthy communities. Sangamon County, in partnership with University of Illinois Extension, is advancing this important work through its Farm to Fork initiative, which fosters collaboration between local producers and community organizations to strengthen the regional food network.
To support this growing effort, Hunter Buchanan has joined the Illinois Extension team as the new Local Foods and Small Farms Extension Program Coordinator. A lifelong resident of southern Sangamon County, Buchanan holds a master’s degree in environmental science and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a minor in geographic information systems, all from the University of Illinois Springfield. During his graduate studies, he interned with the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Food Protection Program.
Buchanan brings a passion for sustainable food systems and community engagement. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, hunting, foraging, and preparing harvest meals with family and friends.
“We are pleased to welcome Hunter Buchanan to the Extension team,” said Terri Casey, county director. “His deep roots in Sangamon County, professional background, and passion for sustainable agriculture make him a natural fit for this role. I’m confident he will play a key role in strengthening connections and advancing our local food systems.”
Buchanan aims to build on the early success of the Sangamon County Farm to Fork program, which supports local food systems by funding initiatives that bring scratch-cooked, locally sourced meals to schools and other institutions. The program has already exceeded expectations in its pilot phase, significantly increasing local food use while reducing meal costs.
Buchanan can be reached at 217-782-4617 or hbuch3@illinois.edu. He is based at the Sangamon County Extension Office, located at 700 S. Airport Dr., Springfield. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a lunch closure from noon to 1 p.m. For more information about local Illinois Extension programs, visit extension.illinois.edu/LMS.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.