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."

The schedule for the 2010 sustainable agriculture tours is as follows:

• May 27, The  Business of Vermiculture--Wilken Worm Farms, Iroquois County

• June 18, Feeding Universities Sustainably--Farmer Brown's Production Company and Mulberry Hill Farm, Jackson County, http://farmerbrownsproductioncompany.com

• July 26, Illinois Berries--J & J Berry Farm, Jersey County

• August 13, Romance Tour:  Flowers and Wine--Bright Flower Nursery and Famous Fossil Vineyard & Winery, Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties, http://www.brightflowernursery.com or www.famousfossilwinery.com

• September 15, Agritourism:  Farm Fresh Fun--Country Corner, Henry County http://www.country-corner.com

A fee of $20 per person will be charged for each tour, which includes lunch. This year, two adults pay $30 when registered together, and children under the age of 10 attend free. Registration at least one week in advance is required. Visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/ag_tours.cfm
to register and for more details about each of the tours, including a map and agenda.

To register by phone, contact Donna Cray at 217-241-4644.  For more information, contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant (217-968-5512; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)

University of Illinois Extension is a statewide educational network that links the resources and research of the University of Illinois to the people of Illinois. The programs and workshops, which take place throughout the state, address issues involving youth, families, community development, agriculture, and natural resources.  If reasonable accommodations are needed in order to participate in any of the programs, call 217-241-4644.

The tours are sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension, the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Program, the Agriculture Tourism Partners of Illinois (ATPI), Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP) at the University of Illinois, Food Works, and the Peoria Chapter of the Initiative for the Development for Entrepreneurs in Agriculture (IDEA).

Author:  Debra Levey Larson