Skip to main content

Reconnecting health and agriculture at the ground level with Illinois dietitians

Dairy farmer speaking at dietician and sustainability event

Nearly 50 Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and aspiring RDNs gathered in September for the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Fall Workshop, Cultivating Care: Reconnecting Health and Agriculture at the Ground Level. The event explored the often-overlooked link between agriculture and health, giving dietitians new insights into how food and farming intersect.

The workshop opened with Erin Meyer, MS, RD, founder of Basil’s Harvest, a Sustainable Nutrition partner of Midwest Dairy. In her presentation, Healing from the Ground Up: A Dietitian’s Opportunity in a Regional Food System, Erin explained the powerful connection between soil health and human health through the microbiome. She emphasized the critical role RDNs can play in bridging healthcare and food systems to improve community nutrition.

Next, attendees heard from Frank Rademacher, Illinois Conservation Agronomist with The Nature Conservancy (also a Midwest Dairy Sustainable Nutrition partner). His session, Soil Health: Application and Nutrition Implications, covered management practices such as no-till and cover crops. A live demonstration illustrated the difference in soil run-off between tilled and no-till fields.

Dietitian speaking at sustainability event

The day concluded with a lively panel discussion, “A Deep Dive with Leaders in Agriculture,” moderated by Christine Cliff, Midwest Dairy Illinois Sustainable Nutrition Manager. Five Illinois farmers from diverse sectors shared their experiences, challenges, and commitment to producing safe, sustainable, and nutrient-rich food:

  • Dairy – Karen Bohnert, co-owner of Bohnert Jerseys in East Moline.
  • Beef – David Uhlman, a multi-generational farmer in Tremont and Morton.
  • Pork – Chad Leman, third-generation producer and owner of Leman Farms in Woodford County.
  • Specialty Crops & Poultry – Anya Knecht, owner of a regenerative 10-acre farm in Central Illinois.
  • Organic Grains – Harold Wilken, co-owner of Janie’s Farm, which grows dozens of organic grain varieties on more than 3,000 acres.

Despite working in different areas of agriculture, the panelists shared a few shared truths, including:

  • Farmers care deeply about their animals, crops, and land.
  • Farmers work hard every day to provide safe, affordable food.
  • Farmers are passionate about quality and sustainability.

The panel described how today’s dairy farmers go above and beyond to care for their cows, prioritizing their comfort and health. They even use wearable technology such as “Fitbits” for cows to track activity and well-being. Farmers also explained how every drop of milk is carefully tested multiple times to ensure it’s safe, high-quality, and free from antibiotics before it reaches the table.

The workshop left a lasting impression on participants. More than half of attendees completed the post-event survey, and all respondents somewhat or strongly agreed that dairy is environmentally responsible and that dairy products come from cows that are treated humanely. This overwhelmingly positive response marks a meaningful step in strengthening trust between dietitians and dairy farmers.

Midwest Dairy supports continued learning beyond this event. As a sponsor of the event, we shared additional dairy resources on the Illinois Academy’s member webpage, providing year-round access for all 3,200 members.