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Agriculture

How Local Food Systems Can Transform School Lunchrooms and Brighten Futures

With locally-grown food in their diets, students have stopped getting fast food and vending machine snacks for lunch, feel sustained until dinner time, and are more alert in class. The students have also grown closer to the cafeteria staff and gained a greater appreciation for food and where it comes from. IEC pays a visit to Pawnee Schools to see their farm-to-table school lunch program!

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Agriculture and Environmental Experts Comment on Release of Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Report, Call for Greater Accountability and Leadership to Protect Health of Lands and Waters

Springfield, IL (December 1, 2023) — Experts from five organizations representing agriculture, environmental policy, and conservation across Illinois released statements on the recent Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) biennial report, developed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. While the point-source sector, primarily sewage treatment facilities, continues to progress in reducing

Agriculture and Environmental Experts Comment on Release of Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Report, Call for Greater Accountability and Leadership to Protect Health of Lands and Waters Read More »

Advocates Praise Senate Bill 1701 Passage as Critical Step Forward for Illinois Soil and Water Health

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The passage of Senate Bill 1701 advances agriculture conservation in Illinois by supporting farming practices that will yield healthier, stronger soils and cleaner water across the state, advocates said today. Legislators approved Senate Bill 1701 as part of the final days of the spring legislative session in Springfield. It now goes to

Advocates Praise Senate Bill 1701 Passage as Critical Step Forward for Illinois Soil and Water Health Read More »

Illinois environmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam containers

Several pieces of environmental legislation are making their way through the Illinois General Assembly on what was scheduled to be the final week of the spring legislative session. The proposals range from shifting the state’s procurement requirements to a measure aimed at improving soil health on Illinois farms. But environmental advocates gave mixed reviews on

Illinois environmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam containers Read More »

Agriculture Lease Agreements with Illinois Department of Natural Resources

In December of 2021, Lindsay Keeney and Eliot Clay of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) sat down with Mike Chandler and Bob Caveny of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to discuss the department’s agriculture lease program. Mike Chandler is the Agricultural Lease Manager for the IDNR and has been with the department for 29 years. Bob Caveny is the Farm Programs Manager and has been with IDNR for 10 years.

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Livestock Operations

The Livestock Facilities Management Act regulates large animal facilities that house thousands of hogs, chicken, or cows. It is also used to actively supersede local control of the siting and construction of these types of facilities. Danielle Diamond from the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project and Albert Ettinger, attorney, will review the laws concerning livestock operations.

Livestock Operations Read More »

Growing Your Own Food & Gardening

Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on email In the second edition of IEC’s Lunch and Learn Series, we are joined by Right to Garden advocate Nicole Virgil (YouTube.com/RightToGarden); Viviana Gentry Fernandez-Pellon, Programs Director at Advocates for Urban Agriculture; Master Gardener Kathy Steffen; and State Representative Sonya Harper. Check out Nicole’s

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Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill Redefining ‘Local Food’

New law positions local businesses for success SPRINGFIELD, IL — On Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation redefining what shall be considered “local” food in the state of Illinois, making it easier for Illinois-based food producers and manufacturers to compete for state procurement contracts that prioritize “local foods.”  Prior to the governor

Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill Redefining ‘Local Food’ Read More »

Bill Helping Farmers Reduce Costly Erosion and Runoff Advances to State Senate

Expands Soil Water Conservation Districts Ability to Assist Illinois Farmers (SPRINGFIELD, IL) — A bill green-lighting the inclusion of soil health best practices among the list of resources that local Soil Water Conservation Districts are allowed to provide Illinois farmers advanced out of the Illinois State House chamber yesterday by a unanimous vote. HB 2737,

Bill Helping Farmers Reduce Costly Erosion and Runoff Advances to State Senate Read More »

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