New Illinois Farm Bureau Docuseries Connects Rural, Urban FarmersNews releasepress releasedocuseriesfields apartrooted togetherUrban and Rural Farmsurban agriculturerural-urban[...]

NEW ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU DOCUSERIES
CONNECTS RURAL, URBAN FARMERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2024

CONTACT:
Sierra Henry
Media Relations Specialist
Illinois Farm Bureau®
309-557-2083
[email protected]

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Rural and urban farmers recently came together in a new Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB)-produced docuseries highlighting the shared characteristics, goals and challenges they face when farming.

The three-part series, titled "Fields Apart: Rooted Together," shows how farmers and agriculture in Illinois can help heal communities, drive economic opportunities and showcase the diversity of farming in the state.

"Illinois agriculture goes far beyond what consumers may picture when they think of a conventional farm," said IFB President Brian Duncan. "This docuseries showcases rural and urban farmers' similarities while celebrating our industry's diversity, which includes traditional row crop operations, urban farming, horticulture, livestock, food processing and so much more.

"Illinois has a little bit of everything when it comes agriculture. It's important for IFB to connect producers of all types so we may learn from one another and build common ground as we work through our shared challenges."

"Fields Apart: Rooted Together" is available to watch for free at https://on.ilfb.org/fieldsapartrootedtogether. Viewers are transported to rural and urban farms to learn about the successes and struggles farmers across the state face. The series covers a variety of topics such as farming in urban areas like Chicago, agritourism opportunities, how farmers can provide for their communities and fight food insecurity, how Illinois universities are providing diverse agriculture education and more.

Farmers featured in the series are:

• Alicia Nesbary-Moore, owner of Herban Produce urban farm in Chicago.
• Amelia and Michael Howard, owners of Eden Place Farms in Chicago.
• Mathew Heberling, a row crop and livestock producer in Christian County
• Mark Tuttle, a grain farmer in DeKalb County.
• Sadie Asher, a Christmas tree farmer in Henry County.
• Natasha Nicholes, founder of We Sow We Grow urban farm in Chicago.

Also included in the series are Amy Hansmann, a volunteer with Cook County Farm Bureau; Bryan Flower, Northern Illinois University associate director of food systems innovation; Chris Vick, Southern Illinois University director of University Farms; and Sean Park, Western Illinois University program manager of the Value-Added Sustainable Development Center.

"Together, we are strengthening our communities, regardless of geographic location, through agriculture," Mathew Heberling said of the documentary. "We are all passionate about feeding our community and have the work ethic to see a job through. When we have these conversations, we build connections that not only help strengthen us personally, but also help lay the groundwork for the future success of Illinois farmers. Regardless of how diverse our backgrounds are, the similarities hold us together."

About Illinois Farm Bureau

The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of more than 364,452 and a farmer membership of 75,959. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.

Learn more about Illinois agriculture at www.ilfb.org. Connect with Illinois Farm Bureau on Facebook: Illinois Farm Bureau | Facebook. Follow IFB on Instagram @ilfarmbureau or on X @ILFarmBureau.

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Mathew Heberling checks his soybeans at his farm in Christian County. Heberling appeared in Illinois Farm Bureau's new three-part docuseries titled "Fields Apart: Rooted Together," which highlights the shared characteristics, goals and challenges rural and urban farmers face in the agriculture industry. (Scott Anderson, Illinois Farm Bureau)

Natasha Nicholes, founder of We Sow We Grow, examines vegetable beds at her urban farm in Chicago. Nicholes appeared in Illinois Farm Bureau's new three-part docuseries titled "Fields Apart: Rooted Together," which highlights the shared characteristics, goals and challenges rural and urban farmers face in the agriculture industry. (Scott Anderson, Illinois Farm Bureau)

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