How Illinois Farmers Fuel Your New Year’s Resolution

New year, new you! Many of us have set goals for ourselves in the New Year, but it can be intimidating to stick to something for a whole year. Luckily, farmers are here to help with some of your resolutions!

Eating healthy

This is a common resolution, but also one that gets broken. Changing your eating habits can be intimidating, but farmers are doing their part by growing food that is safe regardless of the choices you make at the grocery store. When it comes to making the healthiest choice for you and your family, read up on the benefits of Illinois-raised dairy, pork, beef, soy, and how to eat healthy while staying within your budget. Your next trip to the grocery store will be a breeze!

Avoiding food waste

Farmers can impact food waste by growing bioengineered crops, believe it or not. Some GMOs have allowed farmers to grow crops that are resistant to minor cosmetic issues that make consumers turn them down, while others have traits that impact food waste on the farm level. Read more here. Also, learn more about how you can reduce your own food waste.

Lowering your carbon footprint

Elliott Uphoff, an Illinois millennial farmer, recently talked with us about using biofuels as a renewable energy source. By increasing the use of biofuels like biodiesel and ethanol, we’re decreasing the amount of harmful emissions from gasoline. This helps improve air quality. Learn more by watching our biofuels video here.

Ethanol is made from corn, which is a renewable resource and something farmers are very good at growing here in Illinois. Additionally, when blended with gasoline for use as a vehicle fuel, ethanol can offer some emissions benefits. If you drive the right vehicle, consider ethanol next time you’re at the pump!

From our plates to our carbon footprint, farmers are doing their part to make sure everyone is successful this year!