Local Foods, Local Farms, Local People 2023

When “farming” is invoked in Illinois, thoughts typically gravitate toward corn and soybeans. When “small farmers” are mentioned, one imagines those who grow vegetables and fruits or raise livestock for regional markets. But when I came across the term “farmer-florist”, I was unsure what to think...

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 thousands of farms across the country that feed into it. Used for everything from cereal to pancakes, protein shakes, and lattes, many people enjoy milk...

Homesteading provides a unique life path, and it is growing in popularity. The lifestyle focuses on self-sufficiency and natural settings, from growing produce and raising livestock to using natural remedies and beekeeping. For Bloomington residents Chris Stenger and his wife Sarah, urban...