by Akin Carter, Co-Founder, Black Oaks Center Hello, my name is Akin Carter. I’m a 24-year-old regenerative farmer and co-founder of Black Oaks Center (BOC). BOC is a 501(c)3 founded in 2006 that focuses on facilitating communities in navigating a climate uncertain, resource-constrained future. Our four skill-building tracks at the heart of BOC are: Sustainable […]
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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 […]
Champaign County Area Restaurant Week Promotes Local Restaurants & Suppliers
by Terri Reifsteck, Visit Champaign County The 5th Annual Champaign County Area Restaurant Week: Takeout Edition is back to make an impact on the local food industry during this nine-day celebration, from January 29–February 6, though it will look a little different. Beginning in 2017, the Champaign County Area Restaurant Week became a notable […]
COVID and Our Connection to Food
by Elliot Brinkman, Executive Director of Prairie Rivers Network I remember the feeling well–it sat in the pit of my stomach, somewhere between dread and panic. I’m sure many of you felt it, too, when, in early spring, you arrived at the grocery store to find aisles packed with people, and once fully-stocked shelves decimated. […]
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 […]
