CARBONDALE - June 20, 2012. Up to 150 Illinois farmers' markets could receive free wireless machines that accept debit, credit and Link cards thanks to a grant partnership announced today by Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, a local food advocate who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council.

The Illinois Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Wireless Project aims to expand access to fresh produce for low-income residents and boost the sale of locally grown food across the state by enabling farmers markets to accept Illinois Link cards, which access federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, wirelessly at minimal cost for the first time.

The wireless EBT project, funded by a grant of $182,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Agriculture with support from the Lt. Governor's office. The program will reimburse farmers' markets up to $1,200 for the purchase of a wireless EBT machine and fees for activation and wireless service. Interested markets must apply prior to July 9 and recipients will be announced mid-July.

"Improving access to local food can improve the health of our citizens, our underserved neighborhoods and the state economy," Simon said. "As a state we spend more than 95 percent of our food dollars on products grown outside of Illinois. This project will ensure we keep more of those dollars in our local communities at no new cost to state taxpayers."

To be eligible for the wireless EBT grant, a farmers' market must obtain certification to accept SNAP benefits through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service before seeking reimbursement. Markets that are already certified and own a wireless EBT machine can seek reimbursement as long as their certification and EBT purchase happened after November 18, 2011. The USDA defines farmers' market as a multi-stall market where farmers sell agriculture products directly to consumers from a central or fixed location.

"This partnership is exciting because it is using technology to enable growers to expand their markets and it helps families get access to affordable, healthy, locally grown produce," said DHS Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler.

Markets will be provided community kits developed by the Lt. Governor's office and the Department of Agriculture that will include training and promotional materials. A training webinar will also be held on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 27 that will be recorded and available online.

"I thank the USDA for recognizing the importance of expanding access to nutritious, locally-grown foods and providing this funding," said Acting Agriculture Director Bob Flider. "Lt. Governor Simon recognizes that this important USDA program will help consumers make food choices that improve not only their health, but also the health of the local farm economy. The program is a win-win all the way around."

Illinois' wireless EBT project is part of a $4 million nationwide effort by the USDA to increase SNAP use at farmers' markets. SNAP sales at Illinois farmers' markets totaled nearly $70,000 in 2011, an increase of over 522 percent since 2009. The number of farmers' markets and direct-marketing farmers certified to accept SNAP benefits has increased from 35 in 2009 to 49 in 2011.

"This funding will help Illinois SNAP customers increase their opportunities to access healthy, local foods," said USDA Food and Nutrition Service Midwest Regional Administrator Ollice Holden. "And evidence suggests they will take advantage of that access. When we couple this approach with strategies like the education, cooking demonstrations, and community support often found at farmers markets, consumption of healthy foods should rise even more."

Southern Illinois University Carbondale will use monthly sales data and market surveys to study and measure the impact wireless EBT machines and SNAP accessibility have on overall sales at farmers' markets and will release findings at the end of 2013 or early 2014. Grant recipients who see a benefit can keep the wireless EBT machines, but must absorb the wireless service costs after the project is complete in September 2013 or when their $1,200 grant is expended. Minimal customer service and transaction fees will not be reimbursed by the grant.

The Summit of Hope is designed to provide a "one-stop" environment for the local parolee to obtain the necessary assistance to move past barriers which may be preventing him or her from leading a successful life.

A crime-free, productive life for the recently released translates into a safer community for everyone!

This community expo will provide the necessary services to guide and assist the recently released population with needed services.  These are individuals who are trying to put their lives back together and are struggling every day to locate the services they need, in order to be a productive part of our communities.

The Project of the Quad Cities and Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) are collaborating to put on a Summit of Hope event in Rock Island. The goal of the Summit of Hope is to increase public safety through reduced recidivism. Our Mission is: To give those Hope that have lost their Hope.

The event is Wednesday, June 27 from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, at the Stern Center, 1703 3rd Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois.

Services that will be offered include :  State identification, counseling, transportation, food, clothing, shelter, primary health care referrals, screening for blood pressure, diabetes, HIV testing and care, veterans' information, employment services, and a variety of other social service agencies.  Numerous faith-based organizations also are lending a helping hand to assist this group to get back on the right track and to stay there.

Local Parole Offices have invited parolees to attend. Reaching out to this group will help eliminate the obstacles and expedite each individual's chance to become a positive member of their community.

By the end of the day, the participants should be well equipped with the many needed resources, referrals and materials to be well on their way to a successful life!

For more information on the Summit of Hope, contact Stephanie Carmichael with The Project of the Quad Cities at (309) 762-5433. The Summit of Hope website is www.summitofhope.org.

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Braley introduces legislation implementing feedback from Iowa listening sessions

Washington, DC - After hosting ten Food, Farm and Jobs Bill listening sessions over the past month, including two last Monday with US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) incorporated feedback from the sessions into new legislation introduced this week to boost rural energy jobs.  Braley joined lead sponsor Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and Reps. Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Leonard Boswell (IA-03) to introduce the bill.

"The Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is the single most important bill in Congress this year affecting Iowa jobs and the Iowa economy," Braley said.  "The energy provisions of the Farm Bill are especially critical because they provide a roadmap for innovation in Iowa's agriculture economy.

"We've introduced the Rural Energy Investment Act to provide a vision for this aspect of the Farm Bill and to ensure agriculture energy investments don't get swept under the rug in the Farm Bill debate.  These programs will create jobs in Iowa and provide a boost in demand for Iowa agriculture products."

The Rural Energy Investment Act outlines a vision for energy jobs in the 2012 Food, Farm and Jobs Bill, renewing and expanding several vital agriculture energy programs that create jobs in Iowa.  Highlights of the bill include :

·         Renews and streamlines the Rural Energy for America Program, which provides financial assistance to ag producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make cost-saving energy efficiency improvements.

·         Renews and expands the Biobased Markets Program, requiring the federal government to increase their commitment to purchasing biobased products like cleaners, lubricants, building materials, and other industrial products by 50 percent.  This will help reduce the use of products made with Middle East oil and boosts the market for Midwest corn and soybean-based products.

·         Renews and streamlines the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which provides incentives to ag producers to find new uses for biomass by-products like corn stover.

Starting last month, Braley has hosted a series of ten Food, Farm and Jobs Bill listening sessions across eastern Iowa.  The listening sessions have taken Braley to Grinnell, Independence, Manchester, Marshalltown, Strawberry Point, Toledo, and Vinton.  Braley joined USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at listening session events in Maquoketa and Cedar Rapids last Monday

The full text of the Rural Energy Investment Act can be downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/v0F

by gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers

Summer has arrived and for many gardeners that means heat, drought and watering bans. This can be hard on gardeners as well as their landscapes.   The good news is that there are ways to help plants thrive despite these seasonal challenges.  Adjusting landscape care accordingly during the summer months can not only provide relief for lawns and gardens, but also for the gardener.  Here are some low maintenance eco-friendly ways gardeners can keep their landscapes looking their best throughout the summer months, while beating the heat:

Water plants thoroughly to promote deep drought- and pest-resistant roots.  Wait until the top few inches of soil are crumbly and moist or footprints remain in the lawn before watering again.

Avoid light, frequent watering that encourages shallow roots.  Shallow roots are less able to tolerate drought and more susceptible to disease and insect problems.

Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded leaves, evergreen needles or shredded bark mulch over the soil in garden beds and around trees and shrubs.  Mulching conserves moisture, keeps roots cool and moist, and suppresses weeds.

Mow lawns high.  Taller grass produces deeper roots that are more drought-tolerant.  A deeply rooted lawn is also more resistant to insects, disease and other environmental stresses.

Always mow lawns often enough, so you remove less than one third the total leaf surface.  Leave the grass clippings on the lawn.  They add nitrogen, organic matter and moisture to the soil.

Use a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite, to give gardens and lawns a nutrient boost. This organic nitrogen fertilizer remains in the soil until the growing conditions are right for the plant.

Remove weeds from garden beds and borders as soon as they appear.  These "plants out of place" steal water and nutrients from your desirable garden plants.  Plus, they can harbor insects and diseases that are harmful to your garden plants.

And don't forget to take care of yourself while caring for your landscape during the heat of summer. Drink lots of liquid, use sunscreen, and work during the cooler morning and evening hours.

Then when the gardening tasks are done for the day, grab a glass of lemonade, take a seat in the shade and enjoy the beauty of your handiwork.

Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can't Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment segments which air on over 115 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly "Gardeners' Questions" newspaper column. Melinda also has a column in Gardening How-to magazine.  Melinda hosted "The Plant Doctor" radio program for over 20 years as well as seven seasons of Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. She has written articles for Better Homes and Gardens and Fine Gardening and was a columnist and contributing editor for Backyard Living magazine.  Melinda has a master's degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure.  Her web site is www.melindamyers.com

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