From the category archives:

local agriculture

Cook County seeks public input on proposed food policy council

by Cassandra West September 17, 2011 Agribusiness

The Cook County Department of Public Health is proposing the creation of a food policy council for Cook County. The food policy council would be an official committee that explores cross-agency and cross-jurisdictional food issues and makes recommendations to the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Do you live or work in Cook County, Illinois? If [...]

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Suburban gardener maximizes her space for growing food

by Cassandra West August 15, 2011 Gardening

Debbie Kong, a master gardener and gardening educator in Chicago’s western suburbs, gave us a tour recently of her spread. Debbie decided this year to expand her “farmette,” as we fondly refer to her garden, and use more of her land to grow food. She and her daughter, who’s known as Little Green Girl, worked [...]

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Nothing better than food from your own garden

by Editor May 30, 2011 Gardening

By Nancy Traver Spring is getting on here in northern Illinois, and now is the time to get going on your garden. Your effort will pay off later when you’re enjoying the fresh lettuce, radishes and — much later — delicious tomatoes from your garden. There is nothing better than going into your yard, picking [...]

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Family Farmed Expo Report: The USDA and urban agriculture

by Cassandra West March 19, 2011 Agriculture

Ann Wright, USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory programs, was at the Family Farmed Expo this weekend to talk about the department’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative, farmers’ markets and food deserts. She said, “agricultural marketing service has a key role in supporting farmers’ markets and the development of regional and local [...]

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Chicago-area Whole Foods Markets team with Family Farmed to sell more locally grown produce

by Cassandra West March 17, 2011 local agriculture
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During the winter months, many of the tomatoes in local Whole Foods Markets are imported from Mexico. This summer expect to find more Illinois-grown tomatoes in Chicago-area Whole Foods Markets. You can also expect more locally grown asparagus, melons, cucumbers and fruits, too. Through a partnership with FamilyFarmed.org, Whole Foods Markets has plans to increase [...]

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A Sunday seed swap and seed starting demonstration

by Cassandra West March 7, 2011 Community gardening
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Having never gone to a seed swap, I had only a vague idea of what to expect when I signed up for the Forest Park Community Garden 2011 Annual Seed Swap and Seed Starting Demonstration. Would anyone be remotely interested in the garden-variety Burpee seeds I wanted to swap? Would the swappers be tripping over [...]

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One Seed Chicago: Eggplant, radish or swiss chard?

by Cassandra West January 30, 2011 Community gardening

Thinking about what to plant when the growing season finally returns to Chicago? After a long, cold, snowy winter like the one we’ve had here, many local gardeners are dreaming about seeds and soil and sun — and the crops to come. We are. In the meantime, we can make real those dreams by choosing [...]

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Woodlawn garden wins Chicago landscape award

by Editor October 20, 2010 Community gardening

By Susan Richardson The 65th Street and Woodlawn Community Garden recently won first prize in Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Landscape Awards in the vegetable garden category, competing against 13 other gardens. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, which runs a vegetable garden at the County Jail, and the Fulton Street Flower and Vegetable Garden took [...]

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