Calling farmers in Jackson and Union Counties: Help a beginning farmer with her research.
SIU Geography student and Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings farmer, Ellen Esling is looking for farmers to interview for her master's thesis research. Ellen is from Southern Illinois and is the 5th generation of Lipe Orchard's, interested in pursuing her own organic farm.
The purpose of her study is to explore bioregionalism, place, and identity within the Southern Illinois local food system from the producers and food leaders’ perspectives. She is specifically seeking interviews with farmers who are growing organically in Jackson and Union Counties.
The interview will take about 2 hours of your time and can be done virtually or socially distanced in-person. If you are interested in participating in this study, please email: ellenesling@siu.edu.
Food Works is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable food economy in Southern Illinois.
Through farmer training and consumer education, Food Works promotes long-term farming networks that create healthy soils, healthy food, and healthy communities in the 23 counties that make up Southern Illinois.
Food Works envisions a region where:
- Local farmers have access to education they need to be economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable.
- The community has equitable access to food that is grown on sustainable farms in Southern Illinois.
- Increasingly, community members value locally grown food for its contributions to our health, our environment and our economy.
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ProgramsFood Works promotes local, sustainable food systems development for southern Illinois through initiatives that include its major programs: Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings, the Southern Illinois Farming Alliance, and the Farmers Market Support. While our role is continually evolving, we keep our focus on nurturing a food system that supports farmers and human and ecosystem health.
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Get InvolvedGet involved by becoming a member, volunteering at one of our events, or participating in the Eat Local Challenge. Check out the Events tab for information on upcoming Field Days, workshops, and special events.
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ResourcesLearn more about local food and sustainable agriculture in southern Illinois. Access our Community Food Assessment, find links for farmers, links for consumers, and information about our documentary, Gaining Ground.
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