From the monthly archives:

July 2010

Advocates for Urban Agriculture send a letter to Vilsack

by Cassandra West July 30, 2010 Farmers markets
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Share Chicago’s Advocates for Urban Agriculture sent a letter this week to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of the USDA’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative. The initiative is designed to create new economic opportunities by better connecting consumers with local producers, but some Republican senators have criticized it, saying [...]

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Sherrod case highlights struggles of black farmers

by Editor July 28, 2010 Agribusiness

Share COMMENTARY By Susan Richardson For black farmers who were part of the landmark discrimination settlement against the USDA in 1999, Shirley Sherrod’s story is a reminder that the federal agency has a long way to go to end a legacy of racial discrimination.  The farmers sued because the agency frequently denied loans and other financial [...]

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Building an ‘intentional community’ around permaculture

by Cassandra West July 25, 2010 Local food production
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Share As the local food movement grows, Chicago-area residents are developing more imaginative and creative ways to embrace it and make it work for them. Oak Park resident Estelle Carol is one of those people. An artist and designer, she wants to create an “intentional community” that revolves around transforming her suburban yard into a [...]

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South African couple adds to continent’s ‘Green Revolution’

by Editor July 21, 2010 Economic development

Share REPORT FROM SOUTH AFRICA By Susan Richardson Grahamstown, South Africa –Zolile and Charlotte Mbali grow greens in discarded car tires.  They provide an excellent growing environment, the couple said, and help prevent soil erosion on their plot in the township of Clermont in the outer west of Durban.  And, best of all, the tires are free, [...]

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Food gardens help revitalize Chicago’s Englewood

by Editor July 19, 2010 Community

Share   By Susan Richardson Within earshot of the Green Line on a residential street in Englewood, Dip Ross sells chips and soft drinks and locally grown produce at his food stand. Bell peppers, onions, corn and squash are sold along with beef nachos and snow cones.  The produce comes from Rowan Trees Farm, a [...]

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Chicago Public Schools to buy more produce from Illinois farmers

by Cassandra West July 16, 2010 Economic development
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Share The food service provider for Chicago Public Schools plans to increase the produce it buys from Illinois farmers. Chartwells-Thompson Hospitality is asking farmers to contract for $500,000 of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables in addition to the $1.8 million in local farm products purchased last year, the food service company said in a [...]

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Summer at the Hull-House Farm: Episode 3

by Cassandra West July 13, 2010 Seasons
Hull-House Heirloom farm near downtown Chicago

Share We’re back with our latest episode on the Hull-House Heirloom Farm, located at the University of Illinois-Chicago campus. When we checked in July 1 with farm director Ryan Beck, he was in the middle of talking with a group of students visiting from Northwestern University, explaining the rewards and challenges of managing an urban [...]

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Root-Riot Madison Ave. Ribbon Cutting brings out Oak Park gardeners

by Cassandra West July 11, 2010 Community gardening
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Share Root-Riot Urban Garden Network held a dedication and ribbon cutting on a beautiful, sunny July 10 Saturday morning. Many gardeners and supporters came out to see what has sprung up on the Madison Avenue lot. About 50 raised beds are now going strong, filled with many varieties of vegetables and flowers. There’s also a [...]

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