The Market will also be offering weekly email updates entitled Market Mail. They inform subscribers what to expect at the Market each week and is available at www.urbanamarket.org. Vendors will accept cash and many accept card and electronic payment. Customers wishing to use SNAP benefits must bring their LINK card to the information tent in the north row of the Market.
As Illinois faces cuts to federal agriculture reimbursements, local farmers are urging the state to create new models for supporting agriculture and ensuring food access. Illinois lawmakers are stepping up, pushing two key bills through the legislative process that could provide a lifeline for small farmers struggling to stay afloat amid federal shifts.
“An award-winning meteorologist and weather risk communicator, Andrew Pritchard is dedicated to helping our community make informed decisions in the face of changing weather patterns,” shares program moderator Joan Tousey. “His passion for weather safety and storytelling makes him a trusted voice in the field, and the topic could not be more timely.”
“Learning how to safely preserve vegetables when they are at their peak flavor and nutrition is a valuable and practical lesson our students will be able to use all through adulthood,” commented Angie Corum, Bement High School’s Home Economics Teacher.
“Cottage food operations are a great way to trial your new business on a small scale,” says Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Caitlin Mellendorf. “This way, entrepreneurs can refine their products, put strong food safety protocols in place, and create a manageable business plan.”
Illinois launched a subsidy program for cover crops in 2019 to address runoff issues, offering farmers a discount on crop insurance premiums. The program has been a success, with demand outpacing state funding each year. However, despite the program’s popularity, Governor JB Pritzker has proposed a 31% cut to its funding, reducing the budget from $960,000 to $660,000.
In honor of Illinois Agriculture Trade Day, the community is encouraged to visit agr.illinois.gov to learn about food and agriculture in Illinois and FeedingtheEconomy.com to learn more about role that food and agriculture plays in our state and national economy.
The course fee is $40, and registration is required. Participants can register at go.illinois.edu/CompostLeader. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Alex Landberg at landberg@illinois.edu.
“Traveling to Ecuador was genuinely one of the best experiences I have had in my life. It was so much fun to build meaningful relationships with my classmates and members of the Ecuadorian communities we visited,” said Ansley Faivre, a participant of the program.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has announced the launch of the I-COVER Program (Infield Conservation for Operationalizing Vital Ecosystem Resilience), supported by a $7 million USDA grant. The new program aims to encourage Illinois farmers and landowners to adopt cover crops and enhance their soil conservation practices.