by Erin Harper, University of Illinois Extension There are several native plants that are great for landscaping and can provide food. These include nuts from trees such as maple, pecan, and hazelnuts; fruits such as ground cherry, persimmon, and plums; berries: blackberries, raspberries, and elderberry; leafy greens; roots: chicory, garlic, and sassafras; and many more. […]
Blog
Managing Risk: Community Over Crisis [in the age of COVID-19]
by Katie Funk and Jeff Hake, Funks Grove Heritage Fruits and Grains We were supposed to present at a workshop last week, hosted by The Land Connection and led by Farm Commons. At the root of this workshop was risk management: forecasting and evaluating risks and then taking steps to minimize their impact. The topics […]
Transforming the Food System, One Tray at a Time
by Marlie Wilson, Chicago Food Policy Action Council Imagine if the cafeteria at your local hospital was considered one of the best, most affordable, restaurants in the neighborhood. Not only is the atmosphere warm and inviting, but the food is fantastic: creative salad options with legumes, tofu, seeds and nuts; spicy stir fry dishes, healing […]
SWCD Conservation Series
by Erin Bush, Resource Conservationist, CCSWCD A recap of the Conservation Series, hosted by the Champaign County Soil & Water Conservation District, Farm Bureau, and supported by The Land Connection, February 24, March 3, and March 10, 2020, Champaign, Illinois. Earlier this year at a watershed meeting, the Champaign County Soil & Water Conservation District […]
CSA Fair 2020 Review
We hope you made it to the CSA Fair this past Saturday at Lincoln Square Mall, but if you didn’t, I’m here to catch you up on the many great conversations you missed! This year, we had 12 farmers and vendors showcasing their Community Supported Agriculture options for 2020. If you aren’t sure what a […]
Strip Grazing for Soil Health
by Ted Krauskopf, Hickory Flat Cattle Co. As a producer, I recognize the benefit of rotational grazing versus set stock grazing. In 2008 we expanded the pasture on our farm to include a total of 90 acres of former cropland plus about 20 more acres of a combination of timber area, and some riparian area […]
