American Farmland Trust: State Programs

Sustaining Illinois Agriculture in Illinois and Beyond

American Farmland Trust’s president, Jon Scholl, will bring his passion for farmland protection back to his home state as a keynote speaker at the Illinois Conference on Agricultural Land Use Planning on August 6th in LaSalle, Illinois. He‘ll address the importance of continuing efforts to protect farmland while kicking-off the conference’s focus on planning and preservation in a transitioning economy. Also on the agenda is American Farmland Trust’s Anita Zurbrugg, who will discuss the critical issue of farmland on the urban fringe in her session, “Sustaining Agriculture in Urbanizing Counties.”

Nothern Illinois Counties Scan the Horizon for an Agricultural Future

Illinois farm on the edge of Chicago Similar to many other states, in Illinois agricultural land is being developed at an increasingly fast pace, especially in rural and suburban landscapes. Although preservation of farmland and agricultural activities are not highly prioritized for all communities, it is important to realize that preservation in only some areas will still benefit an entire region.

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is the comprehensive regional planning organization for the seven counties of northeastern Illinois. By state and federal law, CMAP is responsible for producing the region's official, integrated plan for land use and transportation.The agency's innovative GO TO 2040 planning campaign will develop and implement strategies to address projected population and employment growth and its serious implications for transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality of life issues.

CMAP has written a strategy paperon the topic of agricultural preservation which can be found on the GO TO 2040 website, along with blogs, surveys, and media content on other relevant planning topics; CMAP strongly encourages the public to give feedback and participate in shaping the plan.

The objective of this strategy paper is to outline the importance of agriculture to northeastern Illinois and the costs and benefits associated with preservation; however, the topics framed within this strategy paper are likely to be applicable across the country. For more information contact Project Manager: Shana Alford.

Survey Studies Viability for Farms on the Urban Edge

DeKalb County—Illinois' corn and soybean powerhouse an hour outside 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. Final survey results are anticipated Summer 2008.

illinois state policy

State Releases Agriculture Funds

AFT and other groups successfully advocated for the release of $38 million for Illinois agriculture that had been tied up in a state budget standoff.

The funds support several programs under the University of Illinois Extension Program, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), and the Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR) among others.

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.

Federal Farm Policy and The farm bill: what’s in it for Illinois?

Energy and environmental policies are a priority for President Obama’s Administration. At the heart of these issues lies American farmland. Agriculture can be part of the solution if the correct policies are enacted. Read our 9 for ’09 policy recommendations and ask President Obama to engage agriculture in these critical issues.

What’s in the farm bill and why is it important?
Find out what’s next for the farm bill and how we can make sure the legislation's promises are turned into programs on the ground.
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.

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

The Apple as Planet Earth

Do you know how much of the earth is suitable for farming? Watch this short animated presentation and learn why protecting our farmland is so important.