Mark your calendars now for two upcoming events. University of Illinois Extension and County Market are sponsoring a salsa workshop on Tuesday July 21, 2009 at the Broadway County Market. Cost is only $5 per person and you can register on-line from our homepage at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/adamsbrown/

The fifth annual Locally Grown Foodfest is fast approaching. This year's festival will be held Saturday August 8, 2009 in Waskington Park in downtown Quincy, IL. Click http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/adamsbrown/ for a schedule of events.

"Roadmap to Success for Small Farmers and Ranchers"

September 15-17, 2009

Hilton Springfield and the Prairie Capital Convention Center

Springfield, Illinois

Join your colleagues in Springfield, Illinois and register for the 5^th National Small Farm Conference. Hosted by the University of Illinois Extension, the conference will include five short courses, 160 oral and poster presentations, seven tours and over 50 exhibits.

The 5^th National Small Farm Conference -- "Roadmap to Success for Small Farmers and Ranchers"-- will be held September 15-17, 2009, at the Hilton Springfield and the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois. The conference will provide you with an opportunity to share new ideas in research, extension and outreach and to strengthen collaboration and partnership among your colleagues that are working to support small farmers and ranchers.

The conference registration fee ($250) will cover costs for a registration packet, two breakfasts, two lunches, one reception, one dinner, conference tour, and refreshments at breaks. The Tuesday evening reception will feature an entire menu of local foods, while the other meals and breaks will include some local food items. After August 25, the registration fee will be $300.

You can register for the conference online at http://www.conferences.uiuc.edu/smallfarm or you can pay by check, money order, or purchase order. Fax registration to University of Illinois Conferences and Institutes at 217-333-9561 or mail to Small Farm Conference, Cashiering Office, University of Illinois, 162 Henry Administration Building, 506 S. Wright Street. Urbana, IL 61801.

The conference will be held at the Hilton Springfield and the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois. Special hotel group rate registration is $83.00 for a single and $98.00 for a double (plus 12% taxes). Additional guests (over 2) will be $15.00 each.

Reservations should be made directly with the hotel (217-789-1530 or 800-445-8667) and must be received by August 25 to guarantee the institute rate. If making reservations by phone, ask for the "Small Farm" room block.

For more information, contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Conference Chair, cvnghgrn@illinois.edu, 217-968-5512.

Producing Sustainability: Growing Food, Growing Lives, Growing Economies

Friday, September 4, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Fairfield Arts and Convention Center in Fairfield, Iowa

Three conference tracks:

Farm to Institution, Producer Innovation, Food System Advocates

Two keynote speakers:

We're pleased to have the inspirational Denise O'Brien (organic farmer and founder of Women, Food and Agriculture Network) and the entertaining yet educational Dave Swensen (Department of Economics, Iowa State University).

One fabulous locally grown lunch!

Click Here for more information and to register online

The USDA announced a 3-week sign-up period for farmers in the process of converting to organic farming to receive technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Due to the short sign-up period, it is important that farmers begin applying to their NRCS office as soon as possible

Watch your mail for the 2009 Local Flavors Newsletter. This edition includes a local food guide to help you locate farmers and great food. If you do not receive one in the mail stop by the Extension office to pick yours up.

Click here to view the online version.

Beginningfarmers.org is an effort to create a knowledge and networking resource for farmers and potential farmers, educators, activists, and policy makers interested in promoting small, diverse, locally-based, sustainable farm enterprises.

By bringing together information and individuals we hope to provide a forum for sharing and disseminating ideas which facilitate the process of starting new farms.

This project is part of an outreach and research project conducted by Taylor Reid and Jim Bingen in the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies at Michigan State University.

April 21, 2009, 11:30 - 12:30 p.m., C.T. at the Adams County Extension office

Localization strategies often characterize sustainability efforts, and nothing is more central to our lives than the food we eat. Building a local sustainable food economy has implications related to local spending choices, nutrition and health, the development of strong linkages between rural and urban areas, creation of local jobs, land use patterns, and community regeneration. Learn about this rapidly growing sustainability strategy - through examples and best practices - and how it is helping to reshape our food system and our communities.

Click here to register for this free webinar.