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On January 18th and 19th farmers and local food advocates gathered at Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center to address and seek answers about the emerging challenges for direct-markets.
Click here for the Summit follow-up
— WHAT WE DO —
Our FIND YOUR ROUTE search tool helps farmers serving the Chicago foodshed and prospective farmers find farmer-led services and programs to meet the needs of their growing farm businesses.
Connect and network with farmers and agricultural experts from across the Chicagoland region with help from our dedicated FARMER ALLIANCES.
— WHO WE ARE —
FARMERS
Routes to Farm partners with farmers of all experience levels and interests.
EDUCATORS
We work with specialists on a broad range of agricultural issues, including business management, land procurement, distribution and more.
ORGANIZATIONS
Our partner organizations and Farmer Alliances help connect individual farmers to programs, resources and other opportunities.
The ValleyHUB urban farm and food hub supports the value chain for local food in Southwest Michigan through innovative growing methods, farmer trainings, and aggregation and distribution of lightly processed farm-fresh products. FamilyFarmed is a non-profit organization committed to expanding the production, marketing and distribution of locally grown and responsibly produced food, in order to enhance the social, economic, and environmental health of our communities. The Liberty Prairie Foundation is nationally recognized as a leader in developing and supporting enterprises that build and strengthen our local food system while enhancing the natural landscape. The Foundation’s Farm Business Development Center prepares beginning farmers to meet the demand for locally grown organic food in the Chicago region. Southwest Badger Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working in the Southwest Wisconsin region. The organization’s mission is to implement natural resource conservation, managed growth, and sustainable rural economic development in the area through education and implementation of best practices relating to agriculture, grasslands, forests, and surface waters. building sustainable local food and farm systems through experiential education and training programs in partnership with rural and urban people The Land Connection trains farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques; informs the public about the sources of our food and why that matters; and works to protect and enhance farmland so that we, and generations to come, will have clean air and water, fertile soil, and healthy, delicious food. This Old Farm’s mission is to support the family farm by processing, marketing, and distributing locally raised, wholesome meat, produce, and value-added food. The true cost of production takes into account the environment, sustainable farm wages, and value to the customer. With nearly 200 members in our Alliance, we’re making ethically-grown food a reality. Band of Farmers is a coalition of CSA farms serving the greater Chicago area to collaborate on educating consumers about local foods in general and the CSA model in particular. The Illinois Organic Growers Association (IOGA) supports education and networking exchange among farmers interested in organic and sustainable production methods. Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA) is a coalition of individuals, organizations and businesses working to support and expand sustainable agriculture in the Chicago area, from home- and community-based growing to market gardens and small farms. Illinois Stewardship Alliance promotes environmentally sustainable, economically viable, socially just, local food systems through policy development, advocacy, and education. CRAFT creates learning opportunities for farmers through the diverse talents of our local community of organic, biodynamic, and sustainable farms. Connecting and supporting CSA farmers and eaters for more than 20 years, we work to strengthen connections and provide resources that help people access CSA shares. Together with our farms, the Coalition works to set a high bar for quality member communication and meaningful connections to farms, farmers and food.
ValleyHUB at the Kalamazoo Valley Food Innovation Center
FamilyFarmed
Liberty Prairie Foundation
Southwest Badger
Angelic Organics Learning Center
The Land Connection
This Old Farm Alliance
Band of Farmers: The Chicagoland CSA Coalition
Illinois Organic Growers Association
Advocates for Urban Agriculture
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Upper Midwest CRAFT
FairShare CSA Coalition
