News Progress

March 18, 2015

The local food movement is becoming an established part of the overall marketplace, and beyond healthy benefits for human nutrition, provides increased economic health and strength to participating communities. A local food conference held in Godfrey, Ill. on March 31 is designed to help area producers, entrepreneurs, communities and consumers explore the many ways to participate in the movement.
“Expanding access to local and regional foods is a priority for USDA, and it is reflected in the investment programs that we bring to the table,” said Colleen Callahan, IL Rural Development Director. “As opportunities for people to buy locally-produced food increase to meet the growing demand, opportunities for community economic development also expand.” Read More

March 11, 2015

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will distribute a truckload of food to hungry area families at Gays City Hall at 815 Front St. 10 a.m. to noon March 21.

All Moultrie County residents who meet income eligibility criteria are welcome (see below). Those attending are asked to bring bags or boxes to transport food. A representative from Eastern Illinois Foodbank will be present to assist families and individuals interested in applying for SNAP benefits. Read More

March 11, 2015

In an effort to introduce and expose local students to a variety of career and occupational choices, approximately 1,600 eighth grade students will assemble in the Lake Land College Field House April 9 and 10 for the 23rd annual Eighth Grade Career Conference.

Together, Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois Education for Employment System (EIEFES) will co-sponsor the 23rd annual Eighth Grade Career Conference, an event in which more than 40,000 students have participated over the years. Read More

March 11, 2015

Planting cover crops is a hot trend but farmers who haven’t tried it yet have one question: “What’s it going to cost me?” USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) developed a simple digital tool to answer that question. It’s called the Cover Crop Economic Decision Support Tool. It helps farmers, landowners, and others make informed decisions when considering adding cover crops to their production system. And it’s free. Read More

March 11, 2015

The Central Illinois Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers is sponsoring a $1500 scholarship to a qualified central Illinois high school senior.

To be eligible, candidates should be accepted into an engineering college or a junior college with an equivalent engineering academic schedule and are encouraged to have a minimum ACT score of 28. The candidate must reside within the counties of Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby, and the southern parts of DeWitt and Logan. The southern parts of DeWitt and Logan counties are defined as including the cities of Clinton and Lincoln and those parts south of Route 10 east of I-55 and south of 1550th Street west of I-55. Read More