Why Buy Local Food?

Food is taken for grantedWe’ve forgotten how food is grown and who grows it and how fresh food tastes

Interest in local food is growing

How far does your food travel?

Look in your kitchen, where did your food come from?Food may be less fresh, less nutritious, less flavorful

Buy as close to home as possible

Estimated that only 4% of food consumed in IL is produced in IL

Family Farms Family Farms strengthen strengthen communities and communities and protect natureprotect nature

Only 9 cents of your food dollar reaches the farmer in traditional food markets

Downtown QcyLocal food Local food keeps money keeps money

in our in our community community and creates and creates

jobsjobs

Local Food is as fresh as it gets!

Local food can make eating healthy easier

Shop Farmers Markets

Enjoy the best of the

season

Mill creek

Buy direct and get to know your

farmer

Request and purchase local food whenever possible

Grow your own… in Grow your own… in the backyard or join the backyard or join a community gardena community garden

Eating local is good for Eating local is good for us and our communityus and our community

www.extension.uiuc.edu/adams

www.wisas.org

What is Agri-Tourism?

• Any activity that brings the non-farm public to the farm in an effort to market a product, service or experience to that customer

Agritourism Ideas• Wineries• Bed & Breakfasts• Hunting Clubs• Farm Markets• Corn Mazes• Pumpkin farms

– School tours• Festivals

– Shrimp, wine & horseradish

– Heritage tours– Nature based

What is the Motivation Behind Agritourism Development

• Inadequate farm profits• Farm diversification (need more than cows and

sows)

• Efforts to improve utilization of all farm resources

• Develop hobbies into profitable businesses• Retirement• Many more

For more information:

Carrie EdgarUniversity of Illinois Extension

Adams/Brown Unit 217-223-8380

www.extension.uiuc.edu/adams