This story features the Chicago Botanic Garden and information about their NCR-SARE Research and Education Grant. Read more information about their grant project, on the online MySARE reporting system.

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Source: Julie McCaffrey, Chicago Botanic Garden

GLENCOE, Ill. (May 7, 2012) – The Chicago Botanic Garden has done groundbreaking work as a result of a two-year grant from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant reaches...

The following story appeared in the January 2012 issue of the North Central Region Intergrated Pest Managment Center's newsletter, The Connection.

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Source: The Connection

In Rochester, IL, Stu Jacobson, a retired researcher for the University of Illinois at Springfield, has been working for years to increase interest and understanding among beekeepers in Illinois, eastern Missouri, and southern Wisconsin.

While Jacobson’s interest in bees started decades ago in Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he lived and kept bees from 1970 to 1991, he eventually started...

NCR-SARE and Farm Credit Services of Illinois are sponsoring a MarketReady/MarketMaker workshop from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2011. Read below for more information.

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Source: The Register-Mail

Interested in what restaurant chefs and retail managers are looking for in purchasing local produce? In one day, you will receive information about current food policy legislation, how to build relationships and communicate with managers and chefs, proper packaging and labeling to sell, marketing strategies, pricing structures, and much more to help you get started...

The news story below features Billy Polansky,  a 2010 recipient of an NCR-SARE Youth Educator Grant for his project, "Sprouts, Soil, and Worms."

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Source: Columbia Business Times

An alternative business model is growing across the U.S. and taking root in Columbia’s fertile soil. Columbia’s citizens and farmers are investing in one another through Community Supported Agriculture farming.

In a CSA, farmers sell shares to members of the community, who usually pay for their CSA share up front and receive a regular supply of locally grown, fresh food.

Chert Hollow...

Two MarketReady/MarketMaker workshops are taking place in Illinois. These are sponsored, in part, by the Illinois SARE Professional Development Program.

MarketReady is a program designed to help small and mid-sized producers understand the evolving commercial market opportunities for locally produced foods. While grocery store chains, distributors, institutions, schools and restaurants have traditionally sourced produce, meats, eggs, cheese and other value-added items from large farms and processors located in regions of concentrated production (California, Florida and beyond), increasing transportation...

Two high tunnel workshops have been planned in Illinois. These are sponsored, in part, by the Illinois SARE Professional Development Program.

• University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center near Simpson in far southern Illinois, November 22, 2011, 9am to 3pm. This program, led by Jeff Kindhart, will include information on winter salad greens production, brambles, vertical stacking systems, hydroponics, and greenhouse production of vegetable transplants. There is no charge for this programs, but pre-registration is required, and attendance at each program will be capped at 40. To register,...

Source: GardenNewsBiz

GLENCOE, Ill. (May 13, 2011) — The Chicago Botanic Garden's Green Youth Farm program returns for its ninth season, engaging students in all aspects of organic farming from planting seeds and starts, to managing a hive of bees, to harvesting and cooking with the food they grow and selling it at farm stands and markets.
The goals of the Green Youth Farm are to teach students the value of healthy, local food and hard work and to expose them to careers in the rapidly growing local and sustainable food economy. Another important goal is to bring fresh produce into communities...

Source: GardenNews.biz

GLENCOE, Ill. — The popular Farmers’ Markets at the Chicago Botanic Garden will get a new larger location this year as well as educational demonstrations from participating farmers and vendors. Farmers’ Markets will be held on the Esplanade, a grand lawn located between the Visitor Center and the Regenstein Center and offering wonderful views of the Smith Fountain and North Lake. Local, sustainable farmers and the Chicago Botanic Garden's own Green Youth Farm and Windy City Harvest will sell seasonal products such as fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, hand-made...