Beginning farmers in Illinois face many barriers to building successful agricultural enterprises. Securing access to farmland is consistently rated as the number one challenge, particularly so in Illinois given there is no single place for farmers or farmland owners to turn to for advice, resources, and assistance with land access. The Land Connection is thrilled […]
Growing a Farm One Bite at a Time
Tips on Expansion from a Central Illinois Flower Farm By Maggie Taylor, Delight Flower Farm “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time,” says Desmond Tutu. While I’m not eating an elephant or even growing veggies, I am taking on a project that is seemingly huge, heavy, and overwhelming, so this metaphor […]
Universal LINK Match Program Launches at Champaign-Urbana Farmers Markets
Program Supports Year-Round Food Access Initiatives in the C-U Community [Español] (Champaign, Illinois) Beginning January 30, 2021, Champaign-Urbana farmers markets will launch a Universal LINK Match Program as part of the LINK Up Illinois network, a SNAP incentive program administered by Experimental Station in Chicago and funded in part by the USDA. The Land Connection, […]
SARE is Here to Help Local Farmers
by Doug Gucker, State Co-coordinator, Illinois SARE Looking for the latest research information on sustainable farming? Needing a grant to fund needed farmer-driven research to solve a current problem in your sustainable food production? If you are, then the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program is here to help you with timely research information […]
The Role of Farmers Markets in These Uncertain Times
by Lisa Bralts, Vice-President of The Land Connection’s Board of Directors Central Illinois’ 2020 growing and market seasons, like those everywhere else, found themselves perched unsteadily on top of a global pandemic. Farmers and eaters here rose, unsurprisingly, to the occasion – attendance at C-U’s weekly markets (TLC’s own Champaign Farmers Market on Tuesdays and […]
Can I roast My Own Coffee Too?
by Joseph Wetzel, Board President As an amateur coffee roaster, this is the question that I most often receive after delivering a small bag of “Wetz’s Coffee.” The answer is yes. When moving to Champaign in 2014, I wanted to start a new hobby. In my close group of friends, each one of them is […]
