FOOD POLICY l A new Illinois law means there will be more delicious, sustainably produced local poultry available for sale at our state's farmers markets...

FARM NON-PROFITS l The Aug. 23 Farmers Rising's Alfalfa Festival is an evening of great local music and food in the beautiful Northern Illinois countryside...

URBAN FARMING l Peak season spreads its wings at Chicago's Just Roots non-profit urban farm. See a beautiful butterfly, and the beautiful produce in my CSA haul...

WATERMELON l The legend of the Sword in the Watermelon began with the first delivery of a fruit of immense size. Tackling a 22-lb. melon isn't pretty but it is tasty

LOCAL FOOD l It's one of my favorite annual rituals: receiving a watermelon of immense size from one of my favorite Illinois farmers. Get a load of this 22-pounder..

LOCAL FOOD l One of my favorite times of the year is when I receive my first humongous watermelon from my farmer friend at Three Sisters Garden in Kankakee, Illinois

FARM AID l Farm Aid's Festival has always had country flair. It's reaching new heights for this year's 40th anniversary with the addition of three country mega-stars

FARMERS MARKETS l Local Food Forum got its first 2025 sighting of watermelons at a Chicago market, checking off one of the few favorite summer crops to hit town...

FARM EDUCATION l Urban Growers Collective, a Chicago urban farming non-profit, plays a proactive role in educating growers, and is holding three classes on Aug. 9...

FARM NON-PROFITS l Just Roots, a Chicago urban farming non-profit, is receiving an award for its community arts project at its farm in south suburban Sauk Village...