FARM DINNERS l Village Farmstand, a farmer-owner e-commerce local food retailer, is launching a series of "farm" dinners on May 22 in Evanston, just outside Chicago

BLACK FARMERS l Illinois Stewardship Alliance — the leading policy advocate for the state's local food and farm community — is organizing a Black Farmers and Growers Lobby Day to take place at the state Capitol in Springfield on May 14

FOOD EDUCATION l The Liberty Prairie nonprofit in northeast Illinois — which imparts good food values to our youngest eaters — is taking signups for its weeklong Summer Farm Camp

IN MEMORIAM l Farmers don't tend to be household names. But Herman Brockman, whose life of achievement ended on April 8 at age 90, is legendary to the community pursuing a better food system

FOOD EDUCATION l If you're a fruit/vegetable grower who's anxious to take your skills to the next level, you should know about McHenry County College's upcoming course...

ANIMAL WELFARE l Exposés about inhumane conditions on many factory farms have shocked the majority of Americans who tell pollsters that they care about animal welfare. Sustainable farmers from across the US recently lobbied members of Congress to oppose inhumane practices.

FARMERS MARKETS l While the Chicago region has had a couple of near-summerlike April days, overall it's cooler than normal — meaning the local growing season's off to a slow start

FARM FUNDING CRISIS l Read the powerful comments by Jackie de Batista of the Farmers Rising farmer training program about the impact of unfair federal funding cuts

REGENERATIVE FARMING l Will Harris is a rancher whose regenerative practices at his White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia have made him a hero to many of us in the better-for-people-and-the-planet food movement. This short video may make him your hero too

FARM FUNDING CRISIS l Illinois Stewardship Alliance held a webinar April 16 — Farmer Call to Action Day — to raise awareness of abrupt federal policy changes that are hurting farmers