It’s field trip weekend for some of the students in a University of Illinois program that introduces people to fruit and vegetable farming. The program, offered at three sites around the state, is in its second year and has roughly 100 participants ranging from beginning farmers to crop farmers who want to diversify. “Our graduates are responding to the desire for local produce,” says project manager Mary Hosier. Some already are selling vegetables and others are establishing orchards. On Saturday, students attending sessions in Urbana are to visit Sola Gratia, a four-acre farm run by a graduate of the project.
Early this year, the New York Times wrote about the project and described it as a potential counter-weight to shrinkage of the amount of land devoted to fruits and vegetables. Illinois Farmer Today ran a story in May. To visit the project’s Web site, click here.