Our Start

Angelic Organics Learning Center was established as the 501(c)(3) non-profit educational partner to Angelic Organics CSA farm in 1999. Executive Director, Tom Spaulding, and his wife, Neddy Astudillo, joined forces with biodynamic farmer, John Peterson, and a team of farmers and volunteers to establish a learning center that would foster a vibrant local food economy. Operating out of a renovated chicken coop, they offered workshops, coordinated farmer training programs, and launched educational programs in Chicago and Rockford.

Our impact

Angelic Organics Learning Center now reaches more than 5,000 people annually. We have three focus areas in our effort to help urban and rural people build local food systems.

• Our programs and events include food and farm workshops, field trips, summer camps, and most recently, educational farm stays at Angelic Organics Lodge.
• Our Farmer Training Department coordinates the Upper Midwest CRAFT farmer training alliance and hosts the Stateline Farm Beginnings® program which has graduated nearly 300 sustainable farmers since 2006. 
• Our work extends to Rockford, Illinois where our Urban Agriculture Programs empower youth and adults to gain leadership and job skills while learning to grow food, all in partnership with community organizations.

• Mission & Vision​
• ​Locations & Directions
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