Locally Grown Conferences

For those of you who are interested in learning more about the business of locally grown food, there are several upcoming conferences around the state.

Meet Your Local Producer

November 10, 2007

Take advantage of this opportunity to meet Central Illinois' local grower and producers. Find out what types of foods are available locally, how they are produced and where to purchase them. Interested in signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) for the next growing season? Would you like to be able to buy local foods to serve this holiday season? Come "Meet Your Local Producers" at the Lincoln Park Pavilion on Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Workshops will be held throughout the event on topics such as "Why Choose Grass Fed Beef?" and "What is Community Supported Agriculture?" This event hosted by Slow Food Springfield and Illinois Stewardship Alliance is free and open to the public. For more information: Contact Lindsay at (217) 498-9707 or lindsay@illinoisstewardshipalliance.org

Springfield, IL

Introduction to Organic Markets and Certification

November 15, 2007

5:00 pm – 7:30 pm (program starts promptly at 5:00 pm)

Registration is $10 per person and required at least 3 days in advance of the workshop. Light refreshments and materials will be provided. To register, please contact Donna Cray at 217-241-4644, or you can register online.

Locations:

Carbondale Extension Center

Champaign Extension Center

Countryside Extension Center

East Peoria Extension Center

Edwardsville Extension Center

John Wood Community College (Room B008)

Mt. Vernon Extension Center Springfield Center

Macomb Extension Center

Rockford Extension Center

Will County Unit

For more information contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant at 217-968-5512.

Tri-State Locally Grown Conference


Thursday, November 29, 2007

9 am - 4 pm

John Wood Community College in Quincy, IL

This conference is designed for farmers, consumers, chefs, retailers, educators and others who are interested in building and supporting a sustainable local food system. Experts from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and beyond will share their research and experiences in local food system work.

Displays on marketing tools, local food system work and interesting topics will be available throughout the day. Lunch will be prepared by Chef Michael Mitchell of Busy Bistro and will highlight local foods.

For more information see the Adams - Brown Locally Grown site

Buy Local - Eat Healthy Seminar

January 12, 2008

There has been a growing interest among farmers, consumers, and grocery chains to promote the growing and marketing of local foods. Locally produced foods are fresher, support local farmers, support the local economy, and provide greater food security. Join us for a local foods seminar entitled "Buy Local - Eat Healthy" on January 12, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza, Springfield, IL. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. followed by the program at 9:00 a.m. The seminar will be sponsored by Illinois Vegetable Growers Association, Illinois State Horticulture Society, Illinois Herb Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and University of Illinois Extension.

For more information- see the events page on the Illinois Small Farms Website

Posted by Jennifer McCaffrey at 11:03 AM |