MURPHYSBORO, IL (KFVS) - The Shawnee Muskie Hunters will host their 11th annual fall fishing tournament at Kinkaid Lake.

It will take place on October 22-23, 2011. On Saturday, anglers will fish between 7:00 am. and 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, they can fish from 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. $2,500 in prizes and trophies will be given out during the tournament.

Kinkaid Lake is reportedly one of the best muskie catching lakes in Illinois.

For more information, you can stop by the Top of the Hill Bait Shop near Lake Murphysboro State Park or contact the Shawnee Muskie Hunters at (618) 610-5003 or visit their website.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - A Carbondale farm will host a Garlic Fest.

Greenridge Farm will host a free afternoon demonstration on fall growing tips. They will emphasize tips and techniques on growing garlic. It takes place on Sunday, October 23rd. The farm is located at 1449 Green Ridge Road. It's about six miles south of Carbondale.

The event kicks of at 1:00 p.m. with a tour of the farm. During the tour, you'll learn about the best fall crops to plant, crop rotation, cover crops, composting mulching, soil preparation, trap plants, and more.

At 2:00 p.m., the tour will turn to garlic. Participants will learn the best garlic planting practices and ways to protect the garlic through the winter.

The Greenridge Farm family will host a potluck dinner that begins at 4:00 p.m. It will feature garlic-based dishes.

JACKSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced Monday at the Illinois Farm Bureau that figures are showing more low-income residents are buying fresh foods at farmers markets.

Simon said the amount of food stamp benefits known as LINK redeemed at Illinois farmers markets and from direct marketing farmers jumped from $11,146 to $41,146 between 2009 and 2010. She attributed the growth, partly, to wider access.

She cited data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that said last year, 35 Illinois farmers markets and direct marketing farmers were certified to accept the state-issued LINKED debit cards. The data also says, currently, 49 Illinois farmers markets and direct marketing farmers accept LINKED cards across 21 counties.

“We are seeing a promising trend: more farmers markets accepting LINK and more food stamp benefits being used to buy locally produced, fresh food,” said Simon.