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

COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE l CSA is a practice under which consumers subscribe directly to purchase food from individual farms. After years of writing about them, I've finally joined two

FOOD POLICY l Illinois Stewardship Alliance, the state's leading policy advocate for the local food and farm community, held its Lobby Day in Springfield April 8

FARMS AND FARMERS l Kakadoodle Farm in south suburban Chicago has been hit by avian flu and the federal funding freeze. But their local food e-commerce site keeps on trucking