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…
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…
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…
SNAP Match programs at farmers markets help our most vulnerable populations afford fresh fruits and vegetables while also keeping federal SNAP dollars in the pockets of family farmers in our state. This Spring, you have…
Earlier this month, Illinois Stewardship Alliance hosted our 10th annual Local Food Lobby Day! That’s 10 years of bringing farmers and eaters together across the state to meet with their legislators and drive change for…
A bill green-lighting the inclusion of soil health best practices among the list of resources that local Soil Water Conservation Districts are allowed to provide Illinois farmers advanced out of the Illinois State House chamber…
Nearly every drop of rainfall that hits Illinois flows west and down to the Mississippi Gulf, carrying with it our soil and our runoff nutrients. Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution comes from wastewater treatment plants, industrial…
Join us at Rolling Meadows Brewery & Farm for a free industrial hemp seminar on March 19 from 11am until 3pm. The day will consist of presentations and discussions on the following topics: Update on…
On February 5, the Illinois Department of Agriculture hosted a public hearing to give hopeful hemp cultivators, processors, and other stakeholders a platform to voice their concerns, suggestions, and praises for the proposed industrial hemp…
We’re trying something new this year. Traditionally, Alliance members gather in the winter for a large annual meeting in Springfield. But our membership has grown so much, we’re going to try bringing the annual meeting…