1. Why Buy Local Food? Food is taken for granted We’ve forgotten how food is grown and who grows it and how fresh food tastes

2. Interest in local food is growing

3. 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

4. Buy as close to home as possible Estimated that only 4% of food consumed in IL is produced in IL

5. Family Farms strengthen communities and protect nature

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

7. Downtown Qcy Local food keeps money in our community and creates jobs

8. Local Food is as fresh as it gets!

9. Local food can make eating healthy easier

10. Protect farmland and the environment by eating local

11. Shop Farmers Markets

12. Enjoy the best of the season

13. Mill creek Buy direct and get to know your farmer

14. Join a CSA for fresh food every week

15. Request and purchase local food whenever possible

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

17. Eating local is good for us and our community

18. Join a food policy council Local Food, Farms & Jobs: Growing the Illinois Economy

19. www.extension.uiuc.edu/adams

21. www.wisas.org

22. 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

23. Agritourism Ideas Wineries Bed & Breakfasts Hunting Clubs Farm Markets Corn Mazes Pumpkin farms –School tours Festivals –Shrimp, wine & horseradish –Heritage tours –Nature based

24. 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

25. For more information: Carrie Edgar University of Illinois Extension Adams/Brown Unit 217-223-8380 www.extension.uiuc.edu/adams