COMMUNITY AND WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIPS
One College, Three Farms Much of Lake County sits on rich farmland, yet 90 percent of the food consumed in the region comes from outside of Illinois and outside of the United States. Considering the growing global population with less arable land and potable water, growing more food locally can help achieve a more resilient food system. Creating an attractive career ladder into the world of growing is part of the strategic solutions the Lake County workforce ecosystem is working to create. As the local food movement 20
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grows stronger in communities nationally each year, the interest and demand for sustainable agriculture education and employment also increases. “With high food prices, knowing what you eat and where it came from is important,” said Beach Park resident Yesenia Mercado, who recently completed her associate degree in horticulture at CLC. When her daughter was diagnosed with type I diabetes, Mercado became more aware that ‘you are what you eat.’ To that end, she noted, “You can live a