Agricultural and Natural Resources

Because the Citizens of Peoria County have

believed in the Peoria County Office we have seen

additional growth in this programming area. In 2006,

the Peoria County Office provided programming to

multiple audiences, each with distinct needs. One

such audience was those individuals engaged in traditional

production agriculture. The Peoria County

Office responded to their questions by offering these

emphases:

* Alfalfa Workshop

* Soybean Rust workshop and multiple

presentations to producer groups

* Tri-County Agronomy Day

* Greater Peoria Farm Show

Another audience which has grown was those

involved in the Peoria Chapter of IDEA (Initiative for

the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture).

IDEA's mission is to provide a multi-faceted

approach to alternative agriculture through:

* Providing new markets for present producers

of alternative agriculture products such as vegetables,

fruits, herbs and flowers.

* Providing individuals with the knowledge to

develop their own product.

* Business plan and marketing plan assistance

to help accomplish their goals.

IDEA's growth has taken place through a variety

of methods to provide educational information.

* A Planning Committee partnership, comprised

of NRCS, Prairie Rivers RC&D, Basil's Harvest,

Kickapoo Valley Farms and the Peoria County Office.

* A workshop entitled, "Developing and

Enhancing Your Market."

* A "Four-Farm Tour" in which various locations

were visited.

* A $17,000 grant to provide additional assistance

to those in the IDEA program

* "Small Farms: From Field to Table" - A conference

which highlighted those who are "doing it."

Ron Macher, from Columbia, Missouri, was the

keynote speaker.

* A new Farmers' Market in Bartonville.