Join us tomorrow for the Specialty Growers Roundtable to be held in Grafton at the Visitor's Center starting at 1PM. Deborah Cavanaugh Grant from UIUC (Sustainable Ag) will be our guest speaker. Come network with other specialty growers.

Welcome to the first issue of the 2006 New Agriculture Network posted at:
http://www.new-ag.msu.edu/

This issue includes dealing with weeds, market perspectives on organic vegetable production and organic dairy, and an overview of activities at the sponsoring universities in collaboration with organic agriculture. We also return with reports for organic growers.

The next issue will be posted April 26. New Agriculture Network is a joint venture between the University of Illinois, Purdue University, Michigan State University and organic growers.

Source: Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant (217) 968 5512; cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu
Contact: Debra Levey Larson
(217)244-2880; dlarson@uiuc.edu

Organic Beef and Dairy Tour -- May 4

URBANA - Kicking off this year's University of Illinois Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture tours is a visit to Oak Grove Organic Dairy in Carthage on Thursday, May 4. Oak Grove is a USDA certified organic dairy on 290 acres.

"Our cows are raised naturally without the use of antibiotics, genetically modified organisms, or added hormones," said owner Tony Huls. "Growing organically allows the cows to get exercise, fresh air and sun daily. Not subjecting them to feedlots or confinements is the most humane and natural way to produce milk and it tastes better."

Oak Grove Organics produces whole, reduced fat, skim and chocolate milk, buttermilk, butter and Monterey jack, buttermilk yogurt, white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.

For more information about Oak Grove Organics, visit www.oakgroveorganics.com/.

The Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program at the University of Illinois promotes research and provides outreach opportunities of a wide spectrum of alternative farming practices as well as ways to provide an adequate and dependable farm income.

The remaining tour schedule is as follows:
June 5 -- Heartland Meats in Mendota ( www.heartlandmeats.com)
July 12 -- AquaRanch Industries in Flanagan (www.aquaranch.com )
August 9 -- Green Earth Institute in Naperville ( www.greenearthinstitute.org)
September 13 -- Prairie Fruits Farm in Champaign
October 5 -- Blue Sky Winery in Makanda ( www.blueskyvineyard.com/)
Darn Hot Peppers in Cobden ( www.darnhotpeppers.com/)
Great Boars of Fire in Anna ( www.greatboarsoffire.com/)

A fee of $20 per person will be charged for each tour, which includes lunch. Registration at least one week in advance is required. Visit www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/topics/tours.html to register and for more details about each of the tours including a map and agenda or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant at (217) 968-5512 or cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu.

The tours are sponsored by the Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois, University of Illinois Extension, the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Program, the Illinois Small Farm Task Force and by the Agriculture Tourism Partners of Illinois ( www.agritourismillinois.com).