2020 Annual Meeting Tour Dates
Last year the Alliance tried something new with holding several meeting across the state to great success. With our membership having grown so much, we’re going to continue bringing the annual meetings to you. Now…
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.…
Featured
Join Illinois Farmers Urging Climate Action
Farmers from every corner of the state tell us they have seen the impact of climate firsthand. This year’s devastating losses from extreme weather have brought home the urgent need to address the climate crisis and its impacts on agriculture.
More Articles
Growing a Movement with Farmers’ Stories
Sharing stories is one of the few human practices as old as agriculture. Just like becoming a good steward of the land doesn’t happen by accident, neither does becoming a strong storyteller, it takes training and practice. That’s why the Alliance and Liberty Prairie Foundation…
Frontera Farmer Foundation Grants Available for 2020
Rick Bayless is one of America’s top Mexican cuisine chefs of the past two decades best known for his TV shows and appearances, many books, and his slew of famous award winning restaurants in Chicago. What doesn’t get as much attention is that since 2003…
Comment Period Extended for USDA Interim Hemp Rules
The USDA wants to hear from you! On October 31, 2019, the USDA released a set of Interim Final Industrial Hemp Rules and asked the public to send in their comments by the end of December. Thanks to a 30 day extension, the Illinois Hemp…
Five Illinois Farm Organizations Awarded Farm Aid Funds
Farm Aid distributed over $1 million in grants nationally – and $27,000 in Illinois – to farm families, scholarships, and 95 family farm, rural service and urban agriculture organizations SPRINGFIELD, IL — Five Illinois farm and food organizations received grants from Farm Aid this week.…
EMERGING ISSUE: Commercial Kitchen License Rules Impeding Local Food Innovation
Funk’s Grove trio cannot use the family’s commercial kitchen for their new business We are seeking farmers, small food business entrepreneurs, and startups who would benefit from consistent, affordable and accessible shared commercial kitchen licenses or other arrangements. The Problem: County regulations prevent the cooperative…
New report details Illinois cottage food industry impact and needs
Carla owns and operates Wild Hare Farms , a farm and cottage food business in northwest Illinois. She and her son Corey prepare baked goods, hand pies, jams, pickles, and salsas to sell at the Morrison Farmers Market. She grows most of the ingredients herself. What she…