illinois department of agriculture

Illinois Promoting Local Foods

Rich Egger — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:47:33 +0000

"Buy Illinois!" That's the message the state's Department of Agriculture has for consumers.

The state is promoting the idea by encouraging grocery stores and farmers' markets to take part in its new "Where Fresh Is" campaign.

Jennifer Tirey of the Agriculture Department said Illinois shoppers are more inclined to buy food if they know it's grown on Illinois farms.

"It's always great to be a fan, a consumer, a purchaser of those locally-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables," said Tirey.

Shamrock Acres Doesn't Meet Deadline

Jim Lenz — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:17:24 +0000

Owner Larry O'Hern had one year to complete the permitting process for Shamrock Acres. He did not meet the deadline.

Hog Farm Permit will be Delayed

James Lenz — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:44:05 +0000

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is holding up a proposed large-scale hog farm in northeast Hancock County.

Junction Acres would be home to up to 18,000 pigs a year. It would be built near LaCrosse.

The deadline for the permit was March 3rd. The department instead requested the construction plans and the animal waste-handling plan.

Walter Goetsch is the Ag Department's Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs. He said the information is often not part of the original notice of intent to construct.

Quinn Names New Ag Chief

Rich Egger — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:45:29 +0000

Pending approval by the Illinois State Senate, Bob Flider has been appointed as Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Flider served in the Illinois House from 2003 until he lost his re-election bid in 2010. He served as mayor of Mt Zion from 1995 to 2003.

As a state legislator, the Democrat was a member of the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee.

Flider said he will work closely with agriculture and agribusiness leaders to meet Governor Pat Quinn’s goal of doubling Illinois' exports by 2014.

No Permit for South Morgan Acres Hog Farm

Rich Egger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:10:43 +0000

Opponents of a proposed large-scale hog farm in McDonough County can breathe a sigh of relief - at least for now.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture declined to issue a permit to South Morgan Acres, LLC, which would be built in the northwest part of the county. The state said it required more information about the farm.

In a letter sent to the owners on February 3, the Agriculture Department said:

“Our additional information request is as follows: