Illinois Stewardship Alliance

From all of us at the Alliance, we honor and extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the veterans who have bravely served our nation. Your dedication and sacrifice have safeguarded our freedoms, and we are forever grateful for your service. A special thank you to our veteran farmers who continue their mission of protection by nourishing us all. Your work in growing fresh, sustainable food keeps our nation strong in more ways than one. Thank you for your continued service to both our country and our communities. To all veterans, thank you. Today and every day, we salute you. Do you know a veteran farmer? Tag them or their farm in the comments below and lets show them some gratitude! #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #VeteranFarmers #Gratitude

Great funding opportunity for farms & food businesses!

Have you heard?! We're hiring for two new positions! The Alliance is currently seeking an experienced and committed Policy Organizer to expand our pool of farmers who are passionate about soil health, water quality, and climate resilience. We are also looking for a passionate and detail-oriented Event Coordinator to play a pivotal role in the planning, coordination, and execution of Soil Health Week in 2025, March 3 - 9 and Soil Healthy Lobby Day, tentatively scheduled for March 5th. If you or someone else you know may be interested in these positions, we encourage you to read more and apply here or share to your network: https://lnkd.in/gfDHyrpm

We're counting down the days to the Illinois Stewardship Alliance Farm to Fork Feast coming up on Saturday, October 12th in Naperville! We have an amazing catalog of food and farm items in this year's fundraiser auction that attendees will get to bid on including some amazing locally grown goods from our farm members all across the state. For instance, in our farm products category, ticket holders will get to bid on: ?? A bountiful bi-weekly floral and veggie CSA from Wild Trillium Farm valued at $750 ?? ?? A gift box from Funks Grove Heritage Fruits & Grains filled with food grown on their farm including Enjoy a half-pint of bourbon barrel-aged sirup, large package of ‘The Whole Four Acres’ pancake mix ?? A basket including an assortment of locally made food items like honey, jams, pickled products, pantry items apothecary items and $50 gift certificate from Tulip Tree Gardens Co. to use at their storefront, Village Farmstand in Evanston ?? ?? ?? And from Hazzard Free Farm, farmer and Alliance member Andrea Hazzard brings you a carefully curated selection of the finest heirloom and ancient grains from around the world all grown and processed at a Midwestern family farm that's been operating since 1847. Her whole grain products are grown without chemicals, they are unbleached, unbromated and non-GMO. In this auction item you'll enjoy: Rolled Oats, Cornbread Mix, Popcorn and more! All this plus many more auction items (more previews to come) and an amazing seasonal farm to fork feast! See more items, preview the dinner menu, and get your tickets for this fundraiser right here before it's too late: https://lnkd.in/g5r2TH7U

Sponsors helped bring farmers and eaters together at the Golden Harvest Celebration, and everyday, with their support for the Alliance. We couldn't do it without you! A big hearty thank you to this year's sponsors including The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, Compeer Financial, Illinois Environmental Council, Chicago Food Policy Action Council, KEB , Janie's Mill, Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc. (LRS), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, American Farmland Trust - Midwest, and The Conservation Fund's 'Working Farms Fund.' If you're interested in also becomming a sponsor of the Alliance's work, contact Melissa Frueh, our Development Director or send us a message!

The Golden Harvest Celebration is this weekend and we don't want you to miss it! There are just 20 seats left open for you to grab and this event at Indian Creek Farmstead in Petersburg will sell out. Purchase your tickets here before they're gone: https://lnkd.in/gAWfrdib Our afternoon includes: ?? 4pm - Happy Hour & Silent Auction opens Enjoy live music from Colin Helton Band ??5pm - Welcome & Feast ??6pm - Silent Auction Closes. Don’t miss your chance to bid on local food and farm items in our silent auction ??6:10pm - Screening of Alliance 50th Documentary Still not convinced you should attend? Check out this amazing, locally-sourced, chef created meal that you'll get to dig into: ?? Chef Joe Standley, Proud Richard's: ? Pork shoulder with creamy polenta, finished with carrot gravy, arugula chimichurri, and poached cherry tomatoes ? Sweet corn, jalape?o polenta bites, with house-made mayo, lime, hot honey, queso fresco, and cilantro ? Pork locally sourced and generously donated by 4 Lees Farm and produce from Meyer Farms ??Chef Michael Higgins, Maldaner's Restaurant & Catering: ? Harvest medley pasta with tomato cream sauce ? Tomato platter with bleu cheese, balsamic reduction and house made garlic croutons ? Watermelon and feta salad with mint and red onion Ingredients locally sourced from the Old Capitol Farmers Market ??Chefs Corey and Emily Faucon, MOM + POP’S: ? House made butter rolls ? Brown butter chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cream pies and gluten free brownies ? Flour locally sourced by Janie's Mill We will also enjoy an exclusive Golden Harvest Ale made just for this occasion by Engrained Brewing Company

Last chance for *early bird* tickets to our Farm to Fork Feast! https://lnkd.in/g5r2TH7U

?? LAST CALL to get registered for the online "Setting the Table" event coming to your computer screen on Thursday, August 22nd at 5:30pm on ZOOM. At this event you’ll have the opportunity to network and build relationships with farmers, eaters, and food system leaders who live and work across Illinois while sharing your insight on the biggest challenges facing the farm and food system and solutions you’d like to see. RSVP to join here: https://lnkd.in/enw4xmBP

Did you miss us at one of the "Setting the Table" events across the state this summer? Would you still like an opportunity to share your thoughts on how to make our food & farm system better? Now is your chance to join us for a Virtual "Setting the Table" event coming up on August 22nd, at 5:30pm on ZOOM. At this event you’ll have the opportunity to network and build relationships with farmers, eaters, and food system leaders who live and work across Illinois while sharing your insight on the biggest challenges facing the farm and food system and solutions you’d like to see. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/enw4xmBP

This year lawmakers voted unanimously in favor of passing the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act SB3077 and funded the program at $2 million! The Act was officially signed into law by JB Pritzker this week. Whether you took action urging your lawmaker to support the Act, joined our Local Food Farmer Caucus to help draft and negotiate the legislation, shared a social media post or email about the issue with your friends, or made a donation to support our work -- your action made a difference. Because of you, lawmakers listened. Now it’s time to celebrate by giving thanks. Please take one minute to thank your elected officials for their support. We’ve made it easy to show your appreciation with just two clicks by clicking the link below: https://lnkd.in/gpW6hdw9