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Agriculture drives our Illinois economy. The food we eat nourishes our bodies, and sharing good meals with neighbors feeds our souls. Intentionally focusing on our urban-rural connections—a centerpiece of The Next 10—will bring us closer together.” LIZ MORAN STELK Executive Director, Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Urban-Rural Connection
Urban-rural partnerships can provide municipalities resources in areas that would otherwise not receive commercial investment, and can build prosperity and cohesion from the bottom-up through reciprocal actions by rural communities. There are many potential partnerships to be had between Springfield and communities in the region. A reimagining of our most important agricultural and community assets, and support for increased collaborations to build localized economies around food to address food resiliency, economic prosperity, health and wellness, are part of The Next 10. © 2021 THE NEXT 10
The Illinois State Fair has been celebrated almost every year since 1853. The Fair is held annually at the Illinois State Fairgrounds over an 11-day period in mid-August. The Fairgrounds, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, encompasses 366 acres of land. Notable venues include a 13,000-capacity grandstand and the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack.
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