State-Wide Directory on the Web @ Illinoisfarmdirect.org

A website that began about a year ago as a way to connect consumers with fresh foods grown by local farmers in central Illinois has recently made the leap to serve the entire state.

Farm Direct can now be found at Illinoisfarmdirect.org. The site has listings for over 600 farms, processors, farmers' markets and Community-Supported Agriculture operations, or CSAs. CSAs are also known as "subscription farming": customers buy a subscription from a local farmer much like a subscription to a magazine, but instead of the magazine they receive a pre-determined amount of fresh, locally grown or locally raised fruit, vegetables, eggs and/or meats.

The project is a joint effort between the University of Illinois Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program; the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Extension; The Land Connection, a non-profit organization connecting sustainable farmers to consumers; and Prairieland Slow Food, a group dedicated to the preservation of artisan food production, heritage seeds and animal breeds, and good eating. It is funded by the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Sustainable Agriculture Committee.

At the website, visitors can search by county or by product. Each entry includes the name, address and phone number of each farm business, as well as a link if the business has its own website. When a visitor to the site searches by product, a listing of locations all around the state of Illinois is displayed.

"Only growers who sell directly to consumers are included in the directory," said Terra Brockman, executive director of The Land Connection Foundation. "And processors dealing with livestock raised in Illinois and selling those meat and dairy products directly to consumers are included."

"We wanted to make it easy for people to find farmers in their own community," said Laurence Mate, director of Prairieland Slow Food. Mate said that farm-fresh food has more flavor and there are a lot more varieties to choose from. "Once you discover how sweet fresh-picked asparagus actually is or how much flavor a really ripe Brandywine tomato can pack, there's no going back."

"Farm Direct is an important source of information for producers and consumers who are re-creating vibrant local food systems across Illinois," said Brockman. "Community-based food systems are one of the best ways to keep family farmers in business, revitalize rural economies, ensure a safe and delicious food supply, and protect soil, air, and water."

Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, David Onstad and Stuart Tarr at the University of Illinois believe that this website directory will help small farmers build a clientele of local customers. "In order for small farmers to thrive, they need sustainable income," said Cavanaugh-Grant. "Connecting farmers with customers helps everyone."

To obtain a printed copy, send a $3.00 check made payable to The Land Connection and your mailing address to The Land Connection, P.O. Box 197, Goodfield, IL 61742-0197.

For more information about the site, contact David Onstad (217-333-6820; onstad@uiuc.edu).