Join us for Plate to Politics on June 10th
Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN) and Illinois Stewardship Alliance are combining forces to bring a Plate to Politics event to Springfield. Come listen to the stories of women who are passionate about healthy food,…
See Your Impact! Illinois Stewardship Alliance 2018 Annual Report
2018 was a game-changing year for our vision of a more resilient, vibrant and just local food system a reality. Thanks to Alliance members who rallied across the state, the Alliance not only passed three…
The Farmer-to-Farmer Soil Health Series
There’s no one-size fits all model for soil health. Each farmer has to make decisions based on their soil type, landscape, time, and finances. While there’s no perfect prescription, there are plenty of farmers out…
Make a More Just Food System, Join the Alliance
Everyone deserves wholesome food, fair practices, and healthy ecosystems. Together, we can make that a reality. Read on to learn how YOU can make a difference to farmers like Katie Bishop and to your community.…
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Tell Sonny: Share Your Perspective with the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue wants to hear from fruit and vegetable growers like you. This fall, Secretary Perdue appointed Molly Gleason of Illinois Stewardship Alliance as one of 25 members on the national Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). Molly will be our voice…
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Rain, Rain Go Away
This year’s relentless rain is threatening farmer livelihood, but you can help. By Liz Rupel, policy organizer What a welcomed surprise the sunny skies were on June 25th to farmers that have been hoping for consecutive days of rays to dry out their wet, and…
Local food and conservation win big this legislative season
State legislature passes 2 bills, a resolution, and an appropriation to build regenerative, local food systems Increased efforts to organize, educate, and build coalitions paid off big this year for Illinois Stewardship Alliance members and supporters who worked hard this legislative season. Member hosted legislative…
Join us at a Summer “Shindog” near you! Yeah, Shindog, you read that right.
We appreciate you! Let us show you. Join Illinois Stewardship Alliance at one of five “Summer Shindogs” on Thursdays from 5:00- 8:00pm at farms across Illinois this summer. July 11: Radical Roots Organic Farm, Northern ILJuly 18: Funks Grove Heritage Fruit & Grains Farm, Central…
The first industrial hemp seeds are sprouting across Illinois
By: Liz Rupel, Policy Organizer Industrial hemp cultivator and processing applications went live on the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website at the end of April. Thanks to the dedicated team at the Department, many applications were approved in a matter of hours, which gave farmers…
Food safety, pesticide drift, and Buy American act on the table at the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.
USDA needs to hear from you! And so do we. By Molly Gleason Last week I was sitting on a plane headed towards Washington D.C. for the first meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The gentleman on the plane next to…
Our waterways, soil, and wildlife are a public good and farmers should be rewarded for protecting them.
Cover crops are an important conservation tool for farmers. They naturally add organic matter to the soil, prevent nutrient runoff, and keep our waterways clean. Over time they help farmers reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. But planting cover crops costs money and…