Illinois scrambles to boost locally produced farm products
SPRINGFIELD (Capitol News Illinois) — When Illinois named small farmer Nathan Ryder a finalist for a federal $100,000 Local Food Infrastructure Grant, he made big plans for his farm in the southeastern tip of the state. Then the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut his funding. The Ryder family farm, a 10-acre operation in Pope County that produces chicken eggs, sheep, and some fruits and vegetables, would have used the money to purchase a refrigerated truck. Ryder said he wanted to […]
