September 23, 2008
Tri-States Public Radio - Local Food: A Growing Trend Series
Click here to check out this great local foods radio series.Posted by Shelby Crow at 3:08 PM | Permalink |
September 23, 2008
Interested parties are invited to join in a discussion about starting a CSA in the Quincy area.
Where: Coffee on Broadway on the corner of Broadway and 29th St.
When: Sunday, September 28th, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
What is a C.S.A.? Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a model of food production, sales, and distribution aimed at connecting local farmers with local consumers.
CSAs can be anything from a cooperative farm to a family farm to a mixture of both or an entity of our own making.
Members of a CSA pay for a portion of the farms seasonal operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's yield in the beginning of the season. The members receive a weekly share of the farm's harvest.
Typically, CSA farms are organic or practice sustainable agriculture. They produce a variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers for members. The produce is picked up or delivered to one of several locations.
Often, a newsletter will accompany the weekly produce to provide recipes, articles of interest and updates on the farm detailing what will be coming up in the next week and long-term projects.
On some farms, the labor is hired, on others the members contribute labor through planting, weeding, and harvesting.
Please join the discussion!
Kate Daniels
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 3:05 PM | Permalink |
September 15, 2008
Locally Grown Fall 2008 Newsletter is now available
The Fall 2008 edition of the Locally Grown Newsletter was sent out on Friday, Sept. 12th. If you did not get one and would like to be added to our mailing list, please email me at cedgar@illinois.edu. Or click here to download a copy of the newsletter.Posted by Carrie Edgar at 3:50 PM | Permalink |
September 8, 2008
Local Flavors: A Taste of the Seasons
Quincy Steamboat Company, in concert with University of Illinois Extension, is hosting a series of locally-grown dinners that celebrate the uniqueness of each season.
Held in the ever-popular Quincy Steamboat Company, the celebrations will highlight the culinary talents of Sondra Bartley and Clyde Nall and a seasonal menu featuring foods produced by local and regional farmers. Diners will also have the opportunity to meet some of the farmers who grow or raise the food highlighted at each dinner.
Dates of the seasonal dinners are October 2, 2008, January 29, 2009, May 14, 2009 and July 16, 2009. Each dinner will begin at 6:30 pm with appetizers followed by a three course dinner. The dinners will be accompanied by coffee and tea and diners may bring their own wine and spirits to enjoy with the meal.
A very limited number of tickets are available for each dinner and the cost is $40 per person. Tickets for each of the dinners may be purchased at University of Illinois Extension at 330 S. 36th St. in Quincy or on-line. Reservations for the first dinner must be received by Monday September 29, 2008. Checks should be made payable to University of Illinois Extension.
Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 12:56 PM | Permalink |
August 28, 2008
Mill Creek Farm Tour – October 3
Mike and Theresa Roegge planted their first crops of strawberries and pumpkins in 1995. Today their farm has grown to include sweet corn, asparagus and an educational agri-tourism business complete with a corn maze. Roegge's Mill Creek Farm in Quincy, is the site of the final University of Illinois Extension small farms tour this year. The tour will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3.
Mike Roegge said that the farm has evolved by listening to what their customers say and following through on it. "We had been growing strawberries with Theresa's folks in Mt. Sterling for a couple of years, and really enjoyed it," he said. "We both felt that Quincy was ready again for such activities, as years ago Quincy hosted quite a few commercial vegetable and fruit operations. However, to our knowledge, there were really only one or two strawberry farms in the area then. Since then, we've added additional crops and continue to modify our crops based upon what our customers want."
Mill Creek Farm is best known in the area for its strawberries, sweet corn and pumpkin patch. Roegge said that their sweet corn is sold both on the farm and also in local stores. The pumpkin patch hosts several thousand kids each October during the school week and families on the weekends.
On the tour, Mike and Theresa Roegge will talk about how Mill Creek Farm grew to what it is today and why growing local food is important. "Theresa will be hosting school classes and we'll listen in on her educational message that she gives a class that day," said Mike Roegge. "And if we can get some warm weather, we'll venture out to the corn maze." Roegge said that the corn maze was planted late so it needs some warm days to grow.
"Mill Creek Farm is a great example of a local foods operation that has grown and flourished by responding to what the community wants," said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Specialist, Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture.
A registration fee of $20 per person will be charged for the tour, which includes lunch. Registration at least one week in advance is required. Visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/smallfarm/ to register and for more details about each of the tours including a map and agenda. To register by phone, contact Donna Cray at 217-241-4644. For more information, contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant (217-968-5512; cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu).
For more information about Mill Creek Farm, visit www.millcreekfarmquincy.com/.
University of Illinois Extension is a statewide educational network that links the resources and research of the University of Illinois to the people of Illinois. The programs and workshops, which take place throughout the state, address issues involving youth, families, community development, agriculture, and natural resources. If reasonable accommodations are needed in order to participate in any of the programs, call 217-241-4644.
This tour is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, Mill Creek Farm, North Central Region Sustainable Research and Education Program, Agriculture and Tourism Partners of Illinois, and the University of Illinois Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program.
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 8:50 AM | Permalink |
August 21, 2008
Purdue Celebrates Going Local
Check out this website: http://www.goinglocal-info.com/my_weblog/going-local-week.htmlPosted by Carrie Edgar at 4:08 PM | Permalink |
August 5, 2008
Macomb Group to Host Local Dinner
The Food Initiatives Group (FIG) invites you to a Local Foods Dinner at 7 pm on August 9, 2008, located at Sullivan Taylor Coffee House/The Wine Sellers/Taylor Hall (S. Randolph, E. Side of Square). The evening will showcase vegetable, fruit, dairy, meat, and grain products from the region with a gourmet five-course feast that will tantalize your taste buds.
The event is a fundraiser for the Food Initiatives Group, a grassroots non-profit group advocating for the resurgence of a local food culture that provides every person access to sustainably produced, nutritious food. Proceeds from the dinner will be used to facilitate use of the Link card--a debit card for food assistance--at the Macomb Farmer's Market.
Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased at New Copperfield's Book Service, a local independent bookstore located at 120 N. Side of Square (309-837-3052). Seating is limited. Purchase of tickets in advance is recommended. For more information, visit our website: www.macombfig.org or contact Vajo Necak at 309-837-2338 or vajonecak@yahoo.com
Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 2:21 PM | Permalink |
July 24, 2008
FoodFest is just a week away!
The 2008 Locally Grown FoodFest is Saturday, August 2nd. There are lots of fun activities and great food that will be available throughout the day. Check out the FoodFest website to learn more.
Hope to see you there!
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 10:19 AM | Permalink |
July 16, 2008
Flavors from the Farmers Market
By DEBORAH GERTZ HUSAR, Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Janet Scoggan and Mathew Logsdon readily tick off a list of what to look for in this year's Locally Grown FoodFest chef competition.
Something unique, flavorful and well thought out. Something put together and presented well.
The pair, representing Quincy Country Club, won the 2007 competition and will be part of this year's judging panel. The competition challenges five chefs/teams to turn locally grown ingredients from the farmers market into tasty dishes within 45 minutes at the fourth annual festival slated for Aug. 2 festival in Washington Park.
Scoggan and Logsdon say a key ingredient in the competition is doing some prep work, much like they do any time they cook. Having all the ingredients ready for a recipe, or mise en place, "helps things go much easier," Scoggan said.
They scouted the market ahead of time to learn what was available, decided on a menu and even made it three or four times in the country club's kitchen.
They opted for a Stacked Heirloom Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella Salad served with a balsamic reduction, tomato foam (a combination of heavy cream and tomato puree) and spring mix greens with a fresh lemon herb vinaigrette. With no locally grown fruit available, Scoggan fashioned a Zucchini Cobbler, similar in flavor to apple cobbler.
"It was yummy," she said.
Most important was putting the locally grown ingredients to good use, something Scoggan and Logsdon do at the country club and in their own cooking.
"The quality is 50 times better than anything you get at the store," Logsdon said.
The club uses locally grown tomatoes -- often in a simple salad featuring red onion, blue cheese and Italian dressing -- and corn during the summer's "short window of opportunity" for homegrown flavor.
"Tomatoes during the winter are so horrible," Scoggan said. "When you send out a nice salad with fresh tomatoes on it, it feels better."
Both Scoggan and Logsdon enjoy the feel of spending time in the kitchen.
Logsdon started at the age of 15 working at the now-shuttered Vintage International and has been cooking ever since, including the past three years at the club running the grill and preparing plenty of steaks and salmon.
He's learned the importance of knowing the basics and building from there -- and that cooking doesn't have to be hard.
"When I learned Alfredo Sauce, it was so easy," said Logsdon, noting other "building blocks" for cooks are Beurre Blanc and Hollandaise Sauce with variations.
Scoggan spent 20 years as a nurse before graduating from the Culinary Institute in Chicago in 1999 and taking a job at the club. She does the baking, with Chocolate Raspberry Amaretto Torte one of the most popular treats, and works as the roundsman, filling in for every chef in the kitchen.
On Mondays, when the club is closed, the chefs try to prepare a nice meal for their own families. Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Peach Salsa was something Scoggan "threw together" one Monday.
Scoggan tops toasted baguette slices with flavorful Mushroom Tapenade, and she craved the dipping sauce from Restaurant Piatti in Sacramento, Calif., so much after moving back to Quincy that she called and asked for the recipe. My Favorite Dipping Sauce, served with toasty baguette and a glass of Chianti, is a favorite for Scoggan and several club members.
Bourbon Rosemary Cake is another of Scoggan's favorites, and it's the only one of her recipes that needs to be carefully followed.
"Recipes are guides, unless you are in the bakery. It is important to follow baking recipes closely to ensure success," she said. "Other recipes can be altered to your taste. Use your imagination, and have fun in the kitchen."
The same advice, especially having fun, works well for the upcoming chef competition.
"Stay calm," Logsdon said. "It's not that much time, but there's enough time."
Printed in the Quincy Herald-Whig on 7/14/08
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 8:52 AM | Permalink |
June 24, 2008
New Farmers Market Opens
Come by the new Locally Grown Farmers Market at the Quincy Mall on Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The market is located behind the mall at the NE corner parking lot next to 36th Street in Quincy. Tri-State Local Food Policy Council and WISAS members Dave Moore and Mike Roegge assisted the Quincy Mall in getting the market up and running. So far the market has been a huge success. The number of farmers participating increases each week, but they sell out quick. So if you want the best selection, you will need to get there early. This is a locally grown market, only food grown locally can be sold.Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 3:51 PM | Permalink |
June 5, 2008
Joint Meeting to be Held
Join us June 10, 2008 for a joint meeting between the Tri-State Local Food Policy Council and the Food Initiatives Group (FIG) out of Macomb. The groups will be discussing opportunites for collaboration as we both work on the development of a local food system. The meeting gets underway at 6:00 pm at Lake Argyle State Park in Colchester, IL. Attendees are asked to bring a favorite dish to share and their own table service. Grilling will also be available so everyone is welcome to bring their own hamburger, veggie burger, or similar product to grill. Beverages will be provided. For more information contact Brenda Derrick at derrickb@uiuc.edu.Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 1:54 PM | Permalink |
May 29, 2008
4th Annual Locally Grown FoodFest
Mark your calendars now for the 4th Annual Locally Grown FoodFest on Saturday August 2, 2008 in Washington Park in historic downtown Quincy, IL. Starting at 7 am with the Farmers Market the FoodFest celebrates the importance of local food, farms and businesses in the Tri-State area.
The popular Chefs Competition will be held again this year where area chefs will shop at the farmers market and then have 45 minutes to prepare and dazzle the judges and audience with their culinary talents.
You can show off your green thumb by entering the annual tomato contest. Prizes will be awarded for the heaviest, sweetest and best dressed tomatoes. You can also submit your salsa made from locally grown tomatoes in the Salsa contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 entries.
The FoodFest is a great place to meet and talk to local farmers at the Quincy Farmers Market about their fresh produce and locally-raised meat products. Activities for kids and families, great food, informational booths, fun contests and live entertainment will be available throughout the day.
To find out more about the Locally Grown FoodFest call the U of I Extension office at 223-8380 or watch for updates at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/adamsbrown/localgrown/421.html
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 4:58 PM | Permalink |
April 28, 2008
Featured in Hannibal Magazine
Kuddos goes to Tri-State Local Food Policy Council member Nan Poage-Prater for a great article featured in the May 2008 issue of Hannibal Magazine. Nan not only discussed the upcoming season of the Hannibal Farmers Market, but also highlighted the efforts of the food policy council. The magazine is a monthly publication that reaches residents of Marion County, New London, and Monroe City, Missouri. Thanks Nan!Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 10:41 AM | Permalink |
March 25, 2008
Listening Session to be Held in Quincy
LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT "Listening Session"
Wednesday, April 9th at 7 pm at the University of Illinois Extension – Adams County office 330 S. 36th St. in Quincy, IL
We are requesting your help in shaping the future of an Illinois-based farmer to consumer agricultural system. In 2007, the Illinois General Assembly enacted The Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act. This Bill authorized Governor Blagojevich to appoint a 32-member Task Force, charged with putting together a plan to enhance an efficient and fully functioning Illinois local and organic, food and fiber system. Task Force recommendations will be considered by the Illinois General Assembly in 2009.
Listening sessions are being held at various locations statewide to gather recommendations on production, infrastructure, public access, public education, and economic benefits that can be derived from Illinois farmers directly serving their neighbor's needs. If you have interest in helping to create the future of Illinois' local and organic food or the building of any part of a farm to neighbor agricultural system, your expertise is needed now.
We invite you to become a part of this exciting opportunity by meeting with Task Force members on Wednesday, April 9th at 7 pm at the University of Illinois Extension – Adams County office at 330 S. 36th St. in Quincy and sharing your experiences, information, and opinions about participating in (or desiring to participate in) an Illinois food and fiber network.
Some key questions for consideration:
1. What opportunities in local food and fiber do you envision can be derived from Illinois' rich agricultural soils?
2. What obstacles do you see for your farm or business that hinder the development or expansion of farmer to consumer networks?
3. What do you as a consumer of Illinois agricultural products envision or want to see changed?
4. What policy changes as a farmer, businessperson, or consumer would you like made at the State level to help you begin, increase the efficiency of, or complete your endeavor?
5. Are there legal impediments that now hinder you?
6. What else must be done to help you reach your goal of providing, distributing, or purchasing Illinois farm products?
If you want to participate in creating 21st Century farmer to consumer networks in Illinois that will satisfy consumer demand, create jobs, provide economic opportunity, and revitalize Illinois' rural communities, please join us at this listening session. For more information, contact Task Force Coordinators: Jim Braun 515/229-2679 jbraun2525@yahoo.com or Debbie Hillman 847/328-7175 DLHillman@sbcglobal.net
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 10:27 AM | Permalink |
January 29, 2008
Governor Blagojevich calls first meeting of the Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force
Group will work to expand local markets for Illinois-grown fruits and vegetables
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today a new state task force will begin work to create a comprehensive food production and distribution system to expand the availability of Illinois-grown produce. The Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force will meet this Wednesday, January 30 at 10 a.m. in the Illinois Department of Agriculture auditorium.
"Our state is one of the nation's leading producers of agricultural products, but imports more than 90 percent of its food," Gov. Blagojevich said. "If we could develop a system to satisfy consumers' demand for organic and locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables and keep food sales in-state, we'd have a tremendous opportunity to improve the health of our diets and revitalize rural communities."
The task force consists of 31 members and includes organic farmers, specialty crop producers, food processors and distributors, a consumer, a food retailer and representatives of the state departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Human Services. Its charge is to make policy and funding recommendations for expanding and supporting a state local and organic food system and for identifying obstacles to an increase in locally-grown and organic food production.
"Food travels an average of 1,500 miles before it reaches Illinois consumers," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "Our challenge is to become more self-sufficient and to make Illinois produce more readily available, especially in inner-city neighborhoods where fresh fruits and vegetables often are in short supply."
The Illinois Food, Farms and Jobs Act, which Gov. Blagojevich signed into law on Agriculture Day at the 2007 Illinois State Fair, created the task force. Legislative sponsors of the act were Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston). "This task force was born out of a grass roots, statewide coalition that was motivated to take new and innovative approaches to producing and distributing local and organic foods in Illinois," Rep. Hamos said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the policy and funding recommendations presented by this diverse committee of hands-on experts."
The task force will submit its plan to the General Assembly by Sept. 1, 2008.
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 11:46 AM | Permalink |
January 24, 2008
Change in meeting time
Beginning with the February meeting, The Tri-State Food Policy Council will now meet at 3:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. The location of the meetings continue to be determined on a month-to-month basis. Please call Brenda at 217-223-8380 or email derrickb@uiuc.edu for the location of the February meeting.Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 11:26 AM | Permalink |
January 16, 2008
Small Acreage Workshop
Wondering what to do with that 5 or 10 acres? This may be the opportunity to learn about all kinds of interesting, economically beneficial opportunities for you and your family. This program will offer ideas for both existing producers and those looking for potential opportunities. Breakout sessions will include: Timber, nuts and shiitake mushrooms; Culinary herbs; Dairy goats and haired sheep; Hoophouses; Beekeeping; Personal values; Poultry; Legal issues and Marketing.
The program will be offered on Thursday evening, Feb. 7th, from 5-9 pm at the Adams County Extension office, 330 S. 36th St. Quincy, IL. Cost is $30 per person, which includes dinner. Pre-registration is required. Click here to register online.
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 12:17 PM | Permalink |
December 21, 2007
Plan to Attend
A one-day workshop for anyone interested in strengthening their community and its economy by creating a vibrant local food system is being offered.
You will have a choice of two dates and two locations to attend "Strategies for Building Locally Based Food Systems in Illinois Communities". The dates of the one-day workshop are February 11, 2008 at Starved Rock Lodge State Park in Utica, Illinois or February 13, 2008 at University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, llinois.
Participants will learn to: 1) Assess the state of the food system in their region, 2) Access existing knowledge about local food system activities and initiatives in Illinois, 3) Identify activities and projects that can help communities get started in building a locally based food system, and 4) Explore roles for Extension and key stakeholders in the food system.
The cost is $30 per person and covers lunch (featuring local food), snacks and beverages and a copy of the Resource Guide, "Beyond the Farmers' Market: Planning for Local Food Systems."
To register, contact Dee Davis (University of Illinois Laboratory for Community and Economic Development staff) at 217-244-0120 or deedavis@uiuc.edu. Registration is limited so register early to save your spot.
Deadline to register is FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2008.
Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 10:19 AM | Permalink |
December 10, 2007
Change in food policy council meeting date
The next meeting of the Tri-State Food Policy Council has been changed for the month of December ONLY. We will NOT be meeting on Tuesday December 11, 2007 at 7:00 pm. Instead, we will be meeting on Wednesday December 12, 2007 at 5:00 pm in the Adams-Brown Unit office. WISAS (Western Illinois Sustainable Ag Society) will be hosting a potluck at 6:00 pm that evening followed by their meeting. Policy council members are invited to attend the WISAS potluck and WISAS meeting. If you plan on attending the potluck you are asked to bring a covered dish to share (made from local food, if possible).
In January we will return to our regular meeting schedule. The schedule is the second Tuesday of the month, 3:00 pm in odd months, and 7:00 pm in even months, here at our office at 330 South 36th Street in Quincy, IL.
Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 11:16 AM | Permalink |
