Farmland Protection

With its unique confluence of climate, topography, and high-quality soils, Illinois farmland—some of the finest in the world—is disappearing at an alarming rate, and with it goes many public benefits, including food, fiber, and biomass for renewable energy. Well-managed farms also:

That's why Openlands, with funding from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, works hard to protect rapidly vanishing farmland throughout the region. (Click the icons on the map below to view a selection of active local farms, food producers, and markets.)

View Local Growers in a larger map

In just fifteen years (1987-2002), extensive development claimed almost one-third of the agricultural land in Kane, Kendall, and Grundy counties. These losses continue at a steady pace today, and many of Chicago's collar counties could permanently lose bountiful acres within a single generation.

By developing voluntary programs that allow farmers to safeguard their land, livelihood, and way of life, Boone, Kane, Kendall, and McHenry counties are attempting to reverse this trend. The biggest roadblock, however, is a lack of funding to purchase development rights from willing landowners.

Openlands is spearheading legislation that gives counties the opportunity to generate local funding for farmland protection programs, allowing voters to decide through referenda to raise taxes to purchase agricultural conservation easements.

Additionally, Openlands:

• Connects agricultural experts in the region, creating a communication network between farming communities, local governments, and citizen groups;
• Analyzes a variety of land-use models to prevent farmland from disappearing (in some cases, organic and specialty farming may be appropriate along the edge of suburban development); and
• Hosts annual conferences (see following pages) to generate support for farmland protection initiatives.

For more information about our farmland protection initiatives, please contact Openlands Policy Director Lenore Beyer-Clow via e-mail or by phone at 312-863-6264.

Openlands 25 E. Washington St., Suite 1650, Chicago, IL 60602
312-863-6250 | 312-863-6251 (FAX)
info@openlands.org

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