For the eighth consecutive year, University of Illinois Extension is offering tours that highlight sustainable agriculture operations around the state of Illinois.

"This year's tours truly represent the vast diversity in Illinois's small farms," said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture Extension Specialist, who is coordinating the tours. "The tours allow visitors to meet these extraordinarily-creative farmers and producers and find out how they solve their unique problems every day."

Every gardener, whether a first-time grower or a seasoned veteran, knows the joy and pride of telling anyone who will listen, that they grew those flowers, vegetables, or anything else from seed, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"Starting plants from seed offers not only a sense of accomplishment, but also allows gardeners a chance to grow things that may not be available at the local garden center as transplants," explained Greg Stack.