Local Food & Small Farms

Growing local food in healthy soil is a year-round investment.

Farming is not a one-season job. Growing food for the community is a year-round investment. Managing the soil to grow healthy, nutritious food with fewer inputs requires knowledge and experience. Illinois Extension recognizes that your livelihood is in the soil. Illinois Extension provides research-based education to support your sustainable practices in the field. Working together, we can create healthy soil that grows healthy plants so you have one less worry during the 4 AM harvest for Saturday morning market.

Illinois Extension on Youtube

Find more answers. Discover a new topic.
ground view up of a mature oak

Illinois Extension Forestry

Watch a video

a pair of work gloves on a shovel handle

Illinois Extension Local Foods | Small Farms

Watch a video

Community Resources

Local programs with an online community
berries growing against a sandy color background and the facebook symbol

The Refuge Food Forest

Stay connected

Title
Flowers, Fruits, & Frass Blog

Body

If you're looking for a casual read or seeking an answer to a garden question, the educational information found in our blog will deliver the answers you need to grow your garden with confidence.

We are here to help.