NIU STEAM Café: Responding to Food Systems Challenges

NIU STEAM Café: Responding to Food Systems Challenges Nov. 4, 2026 6:30 pm Prairie State Winery (222 W Main St, Genoa, IL) Speakers: Laura Fehling, Assistant Director of NIU Edible Campus Steve Schultz, Garden Manager for NIU Edible Campus Illinois has an abundance of farms. Yet, most of the food consumed in the state is not locally produced, and many residents struggle with food insecurity. Grocery store shelves are filled with imported produce, while much of the corn and soy grown in the state is destined for export, animal feed or ethanol production. Extreme weather events, record numbers of family farm foreclosures and changes to SNAP food assistance programs are exposing the fragility of our current food system. Join us at the next STEAM Café to learn how NIU is responding to current food system challenges through the Edible Campus program. Edible Campus Assistant Director Laura Fehling and Garden Manager Steve Schultz will discuss the vulnerabilities of the current food system, advances in sustainable and regenerative farming, and innovative ways to grow food at home and adapt to current changes. About the speakers Laura Fehling is the assistant director of Edible Campus. She manages the Edible Campus program and supports a variety of campus sustainability initiatives. Laura and the Edible Campus team are transforming NIU’s campus into a living learning laboratory that connects students with new education, research and workforce development opportunities. Laura holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from UW-Green Bay and an M.S. in Botany from Miami University. She has a background in undergraduate teaching, urban agriculture and natural areas management. Steve Schultz is the Garden Manager for the NIU Edible Campus program. He oversees the operations of all Edible Campus growing spaces including the hydroponic systems. Steve has experience in addressing food equity and managing a sustainable farming program on the west side of Chicago. Prior to farming, he worked over 10 years as a high school counselor in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Steve has an M.S. in Counseling and Student Personnel from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is a graduate of Windy City Harvest’s Sustainable Urban Agriculture program.