Illinois Local Food and Farms Coalition is a statewide rural-urban network of individuals and organizations working to create fully functioning -- field to fork, farmer to user -- local farming systems in Illinois.

This Coalition seeks to be a connecting and communication tool, linking farmers, businesses, non-profits, government agencies, and consumers –- all Illinois citizens from Carbondale to Chicago, from Quincy to Mattoon -- wishing to talk and work with each other for the benefit of all Illinois. We have weekly conference calls and send out agendas in advance.

We began as the coalition that envisioned and promoted the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act of 2007 (now Public Act 95-145), recognizing Illinois’ unique combination of geography, demography, and natural resources. Illinois' expanding urban and rural population is settled upon highly productive agricultural land, providing Illinois farmers the opportunity to grow an abundance of foods and other farm products for Illinois residents.

Our GOAL is to realize fully the economic and public health benefits inherent within local food and farm systems.

Our STRATEGY is to advocate for local agriculture, linking the people, products, methods, and businesses that will create and support these systems.

Discussion on all relevant topics is welcome. We support diversity in local farm products, whether currently grown or yet to be developed, including local foods, fiber, forest products, ornamental plants, etc. Other potential topics of discussion include those related to systems issues and opportunities: land access and conservation, farmer training, agri-tourism, packaging, processing, warehousing, trucking, crop insurance, energy production and consumption, regulations, policy, and public awareness.

We welcome and encourage everyone engaged in this effort to create social, environmental, and financial prosperity for all Illinois citizens.