URBAN FARMING l Just Roots, an urban farming non-profit with a mission to combat food insecurity, is holding season kickoff events in June on their farms in Chicago and in the south suburbs

FOOD NON-PROFITS l There's a virtuous reason to attend the Farmers Rising non-profit's Barnyard Blues concert, as it's a fundraiser for the organization. But it's going to be a lot of fun, too

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