The nations' largest grocer is looking to buy produce from a farmer in your area. Todd Gleason has more on Wal-Mart, Food Miles, and a plan called Heritage Agriculture.

If you're looking for a place to purchase an organically grown turkey for Thanksgiving or would simply prefer to buy grass fed meats there may still be time to find both online and in the Midwest. Todd Gleason has one possible solution.

http://www.mintcreekfarm.com

If you've ever wanted to farm, but weren't sure if it was possible…or how to go about getting started, there is help just a web page away. Todd Gleason has more on the Farm Beginnings program in Illinois.

http://www.IllinoisFarmBeginnings.org

The soil fertility specialist at the University of Illinois is planning a sulfur study for the 2009 growing season. Todd Gleason has more on the macro-nutrient, how it is used in the corn plant, and how farmers and landowners can participate in the U of I research.

The farm management specialist at the University of Illinois say cash rents will vary far more widely this coming season than in the past. And…as Todd Gleason reports…they are suggesting three options farmers should consider when negotiating 2009 contracts.

The Illinois Farm Economic Summits will be held in four cities across the state the third week of December. As Gary Schnitkey explains the day-long meetings will take on a range of important farm econ topics. The Illinois Farm Economics Summits are scheduled for;

·       December 16 – Mt. Vernon

·       December 17 – Bloomington

·       December 18 – Galesburg

·       December 19 - Sycamore

The meetings should kick off at about 9am and wrap up around 3pm. A detailed agenda and costs will soon be posted to the FarmDOC website.

http://www.FarmDOC.uiuc.edu