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Farming
PI Original
by Ashlee Rezin
3:54pm
Fri Apr 26

Genetically Engineered Food Must Be Labeled As Such, Argue Consumer Rights Advocates

Congress

The United States is one of the last remaining industrialized countries that does not mandate disclosure of genetically modified organisms (GMO) on food labels. But recent state and federal legislation reflects the rallying cry of food advocacy groups calling for the government to give consumers the right to know exactly what they are eating.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
2:00pm
Fri Aug 3, 2012

Majority Of Illinois Counties Deemed ‘Disaster’ Areas: What This Means

Obama administration Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has added to the list of counties classified as disaster areas due to the historically destructive summer drought. The majority of American counties are now deemed disaster areas, including 98 of 102 in Illinois, with the urban and suburban counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will not getting the designation.

Gov. Pat Quinn pushed for the disaster designation. After all, it’s hard for government to immediately respond – neither Obama nor Quinn can make it rain – and the disaster tag indicates acknowledgement of a serious problem.

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PI Original
by Steven Ross Johnson
2:14pm
Mon Jul 16, 2012
2 comments

Drought Could Have Economic & Political Impact (UPDATED)

Economy

As Illinois continues to linger in the midst of one of its worst droughts in more than two decades, its greatest impact might be felt in the price of food, as a substantial portion of the state’s corn crop could be jeopardized if conditions fail to improve.

Quick Hit
by Michael Sandler
2:29pm
Tue Jul 3, 2012
1 comment

Link Access At Illinois Farmers Markets To Go Wireless

A $182,000 federal grant from the United States Department of Agriculture could provide up to 150 Illinois farmers’ markets with free wireless machines that accept debit, credit and Link cards.

The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Wireless Project is aiming to expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables for Illinois’ low-income residents. Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon originally announced the plan, and Simon’s spokeswoman Kathryn Phillips told Progress Illinois that farmers markets must apply for the grant by July 9 (go here to apply). Illinois’ wireless EBT project is part of a $4 million nationwide effort by the United States Department of Agriculture to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use at farmers’ markets.

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