Organic Decision Support Tools Project Seeks Farmer Cooperators

Researchers at the Universities of Illinois and Vermont are collaborating in a study to improve cover crop biomass and nitrogen estimates for farmers in the Midwest and Northeast to improve N credits for nutrient planning. Results will be incorporated into goCrop, the nutrient planning tool developed by University of Vermont Extension. The project is seeking […]

Keeping Organic Soil-Centric or Can it Get Fishy?

The first organic standard was developed by the Soil Association so it is not surprising that  was founded on the premise that “organic systems are soil based”.  Developments in new technologies, demographics, and consumer interest in locally grown food has driven interest in urban production systems including vertical farms that produce food using hydroponics (these […]

Local Grains Field Day at Janie’s Farm Sept 10

If you are interested in local grains or tasty beer, bread or other foods made from them you will want to attend the Illinois Organic Growers Association field day that will take place at Janie’s Farm on Sept 10. You can learn about exciting on farm selection trials that Harold and Ross Wilkins are carrying […]

Symposium on American Food Resilience (Part 1) released

Part 1 of the Symposium on American Food Resilience (13 articles) has now been published in the September issue of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences (http://link.springer.com/journal/13412/5/3/page/1#page-1).  Part 2 (14 articles) will be in the December issue. The entire collection is exciting in the diversity of its coverage, as experts on various aspects of […]

Tom Vilsack at UIUC September 10th

Start getting your questions ready. On September 10th, our Department of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences will welcome Tom Vilsack to speak on “The role of public research universities in addressing international food security.” We’d like to encourage folks to turn out for this event – and come prepared with some challenging questions. While over […]

2015 Conservation Stewardship Program Applications Due!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that funds will be available this year through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Although NRCS accepts applications all year, agricultural producers and forest landowners should submit applications by Feb. 27, 2015 to ensure they are considered for this year’s funding. Applications received after that […]

Growing Power “From the Ground Up!” Workshops

Growing Power, a national non-profit with a mission of creating and teaching others to create healthy food from healthy soil, has announced their schedule of workshops for this spring. All workshops will take place at Growing Power’s Community Food Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From the Ground Up! Workshops are intensive, hands-on trainings offering diverse groups […]

Internship Opportunity: White Violet Center Eco-Justice Intern

White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, located in Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, is seeking applicants for the position of Eco-Justice Intern. At WVC you’ll find 320 acres of forestland, 300+ acres of certified organic cropland, a 5 acre organic garden, 2 orchards, a small apiary from which they harvest and sell raw honey, a small flock of chickens, and […]