In this podcast, Al Zwilling talks about the Capacity Building Framework and how it is applied to local foods. Like any business, an understanding of what part of your operation might be holding you back can yield big improvements for people interested in local foods. The diagram shown here illustrates several of the points Al makes. http://i.imgur.com/A1lqe.jpg

Local Foods

Capacity Building Framework

In this podcast, Gina Backes explains how Market Maker is helping the Gulf coast region recover from the oil spill. Also in this podcast Gina describes how the Buy and Sell Forum feature of Market Maker helps buyers and sellers find each other more quickly than ever before.

Market Maker Buy and Sell Forum

Publicizing the agriculture industry in your area can be a valuable boost to local foods producers. In this podcast Barb Curry from Illinois describes a very successful program called the Ag Breakfast where local producers showcase their products. 

Ag Breakfast

- In this podcast, Al Zwilling from the University of Illinois Extension explains the ins and outs of the USDA's Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant. From the purchase of a refrigerator and better publicity on up to money to start a totally new Farmer's Market, this grant helps Local Foods producers to create new and better markets.

A Grant opportunity for Farmers Markets of any size

In this Local Foods podcast, Kari Houle, Extension Educator with the University of Illinois Extension, explains how High Tunnels can be used to extend the growing season for Local Foods producers. She also explains that management of fertility, crop rotation and other factors become even more important with the longer growing season that a High Tunnel affords.

Extending the Growing Seasons - High Tunnels

In this On Local Foods podcast, Gina Backes talks about new features in Market Maker that help consumers give the gift of Local Foods and help Local Foods producers get the word out about their products.

Market Maker for the Winter Months

In this Local Foods podcast, Kyle Cecil, Extension Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, explains the "why" of local foods. Conversations between producers and consumers help both sides learn what is important to the other.

Why Local Foods Matter

In this podcast, Extension Specialist Al Zwilling talks about three grant opportunities that can help farmers markets and local foods producers. You can learn more at www.grants.gov and http://illinoisresource.net/

Grant Opportunities

In this podcast, Gina Backes talks about how the Market Maker system can be of use for people interested in local foods and Agra-tourism.

Market Maker and Agri-Tourism

In this podcast Margaret Larson County Director in Stephenson and Winnebago Counties in Illinois, talks to Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant about farm tours of operations that are of particular interest to local foods producers and consumers.

Farm Tours

In this podcast Al Zwilling, Extension Specialist for the University of Illinois, talks about a recent study of local foods in Stephenson County Illinois. One of the biggest findings was that longer seasons for locally grown foods are important for both producers and consumers. ﻿

Local Foods Study in Stephenson County

 In this podcast, Kyle Cecil, Educator in Natural Resources for the University of Illinois Extension, talks about some of the planning that should go on before going to your first Farmers Market as a seller of produce. More information is available at http://www.attra.org/ and http://www.sare.org/. 

Planning

In this podcast, Kyle Cecil, Educator in Natural Resources for the University of Illinois Extension, talks about how to improve your soil, and reduce weeds using cover crops. For more information, see the web sites: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/newsdetail.cfm?NewsID=15509, http://www.extension.org/ and http://www.extension.org/article/18524

Cover Crops

In this podcast, Kari Houle, Unit Educator Knox County Unit, Horticulture, talks about Good Agricultural Practices and what GAPs is all about.

GAPS Training

In this podcast, Bill Woessner discusses what Market Maker is and how to use it and what you can do with Market Maker with Gina Backes, Visiting Extension Outreach Assistant, Entrepreneurship Programs.

Market Maker

This podcast will address issues related to the production, distribution and consumption of local foods.

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Local Foods

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