Two certified organic gardens on opposite sides of the city provide benefits to the environment and nearby communities.

Animal welfare advocates will gather next week at McDonald's new West Loop headquarters to present a petition with more than 200,000 signatures calling on the company to improve conditions for chickens in its supply chain. 

Despite the growing number of farmers markets in Illinois and across the U.S., a number of reports in recent years show that sales across the country are down. How markets are adapting to reach today’s consumers.

The state is one step closer to legalizing the production of industrial hemp after a 106-3 vote in the Illinois House this week. 

Agriculture advocates say industrial hemp would offer Illinois farmers an additional crop – one with a lucrative future.

The grocery store chain released more details this week about its plans to phase out a practice that animal welfare advocates consider inhumane. 

The grocery store chain says it is evaluating its supply chain “to see where additional change is needed” in response to public concerns over pork suppliers who confine pigs to tight metal crates.

The Chicago-based fast food chain agreed last year to work toward phasing out antibiotics from its beef and pork products. An Illinois nonprofit now wants McDonald’s to commit to a timeline to meet that goal.

The group Crate Free Illinois is calling on Trader Joe’s to stop purchasing pork from suppliers that use gestation crates, tight metal stalls that keep pigs in one position for the majority of their lives.

Illinois farmers and animal welfare experts say they will promote farms where animals are raised humanely, following a Chicago Tribune investigation last year on the state’s biggest pork companies.

Advocates for Illinois’ agriculture industry anticipate new export opportunities if the U.S. relaxes trade barriers with Cuba. 

At least 16 states have legalized industrial hemp production for commercial purposes. Could Illinois be next?

Tomatoes and salad greens that are served in upscale Chicago restaurants are grown in Ogle County, Illinois. We visit the source.

A Chicago Tribune investigation called “The Price of Pork” paints an often disturbing picture of pork production in the state. The lead reporter on the series joins us to discuss his findings.