American Farmland Trust: State Programs

Survey Studies Viability for Farms on the Urban Edge

DeKalb County—Illinois' corn and soybean powerhouse that's only an hour’s drive from Chicago—is one of the subjects of a new study on farm viability and farmland preservation in counties with growing populations but significant agricultural sectors. Researchers Dick Esseks of the University of Nebraska and AFT's Anita Zurbrugg presented early survey results from the new USDA-sponsored study at a DeKalb forum. The study involves interviews with farmers and agricultural experts in urban-edge counties in 14 states to determine which policies and conditions have the greatest impact on the ability of local farms to survive.

Will Illinois win in the farm bill?

Congress is in the final stretch of finalizing a new farm bill that will decide the nation’s—and Illinois'—agricultural policy. But it will also affect you and your community. Learn more and get involved now to help influence this important legislation.

What is the farm bill and why is it important? You might be surprised at the answers.
Find out what’s happening in Congress right now and get involved with the farm bill campaign.
Take an in-depth look at Illinois' agricultural profile on a state and district level, and learn how much agriculture contributes to the state's economy.

Opposition Grows Against the Prairie Parkway

AFT has signed on against the building of the Prairie Parkway,a proposed north-south connector road between Interstate 80 and Interstate 88 that would cut through prime farmland in Illinois. After the success of the 6th annual 'Stop the Beltway' picnic, opponents of the project believe momentum is building and things are moving in the right direction. “We’re making people aware of what we really have to lose if this thing goes through,” said Marvel Davis, a farmer and member of the grassroots group Citizens Against the Sprawlway. “I think people have woke up to the fact that had we better act now to save the land that is left.”

Tom and Carol Flanders on a prcel of thier protected land

collar counties adopt farmland protection measures

Kendall County, Illinois, one of the fastest growing rural counties in the nation and an outer collar county of Chicago, adopted a Farmland Protection Ordinance (PDF) in 2005. AFT worked closely with adjacent Kane County to create the first local farmland protection program in the state. Nearby Boone and McHenry counties joined in the commitment to farmland protection by adopting similar ordinances.

AFt's center for agriculture in the environment

AFT's Center for Agriculture in the Environment (CAE), located in DeKalb, helps protect America's agricultural lands and encourage healthy farming practices. CAE works closely with the academic, environmental and agricultural communities to raise awareness of issues by providing research and strong academic arguments for wise public policy. more