Upper midwest CRAFTJoin your local sustainable farming network! Upper Midwest CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) is a farmer-led training alliance organized by alternative agriculture farmers in northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and the Chicagoland area. CRAFT members have access to annual field day training, weekly newsletters, and much more!
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Stateline Farm Beginnings®Stateline Farm Beginnings® is a yearlong program designed to help aspiring and beginning farmers plan and launch a sustainable farm business. Participants develop holistic farm and financial planning skills, explore emerging opportunities, and network with experienced regional farmers.
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Farm Viability CirclesJoin a peer-directed circle to learn from fellow farmers. Farm Viability Circles contribute to the ecological, economic, and social viability of regional farms. Participants gain access to technical assistance and farm advisors while growing and deepening farming relationships.
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Routes to FarmGet resources for every stage of your farm journey. Routes to Farm is a collaborative effort to make resources available to farmers who are launching or growing their farm businesses in the Chicago foodshed.
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Farmer Training Mission & Vision
Farmer Training connects Stateline farmers to a variety of specialized resources, building regional farm leadership, while working with farmers in all stages of farm development.
We support farmers by:
Our educational resources aim to create regional farmers that have thriving farm businesses and are growing a cooler world. We believe a cooler world includes farms that are:
We support farmers by:
- Connecting aspiring, beginning, and experienced Stateline area farmers to regional education, resources, and networks.
- Cultivating a diverse farm network skilled in equitable, sustainable, and regenerative farming practices.
- Growing farm leaders who engage with the Stateline area farming community as educators, advisors, mentors, and speakers.
Our educational resources aim to create regional farmers that have thriving farm businesses and are growing a cooler world. We believe a cooler world includes farms that are:
- Leaders in our regional food community
- Racially and socially just and equitable
- Prepared for climate uncertainty
- Generationally sustainable
- Strategic in business, production, and advocacy decisions