Before you go
- From Food To Flowers: Everything Local | Save the date! January 17-19, 2024 Crowne Plaza, Springfield, IL. Look for more details in future issues.
- 2024 Southwestern Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit School | Save the Date! February 6, 2024 at Knights of Columbus Hall, Hardin, IL. Look for more information in future issues.
- 2024 Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School | Save the Date! February 7, 2024 at DoubleTree, Mt. Vernon, IL. Look for more information in future issues.
New educator added to local food systems and small farms team
We welcome the newest educator to our local food systems and small farms Illinois Extension team, Renzo Ceme Vinces. Renzo serves Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties in the northeastern region of the state and has been in this role for about a month. Throughout his career and in Extension, Renzo prioritizes a people-first strategy by supporting and talking directly with people to identify areas where support is needed.
Prior to his role with Extension, Renzo worked as the Field Coordinator at the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) in Ecuador for the Farmer-to-Farm program where he worked to support the capacity building of small farmers through training topics the program provided them. The program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is a voluntary assistance program that promotes sustainable economic growth and agricultural development. In his role as Field Coordinator, Renzo identified and recruited host organizations such as agricultural cooperatives, built innovative volunteer activities for the program’s volunteer U.S. citizen trainers, and assessed the impact of volunteer assignments.
Renzo holds a Master of Science degree in agricultural education from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental and development from Zamorano University.
Outside of his work with Extension, Renzo enjoys spending time with friends alongside a good cup of coffee. He is also passionate about events related to Latin American culture, particularly those centered around food and music. Connect at renzoc@illinois.edu or call (815) 933-8337.