Policy & Advocacy Program
Through our policy and advocacy program, we work to transform bold ideas into meaningful policy solutions that address the root causes of the crisis in our food and farm system.
We lead issue-based campaigns that elevate the voices of farmers, food producers, and local communities. Our work begins with deep research and policy analysis to identify systemic challenges and develop grounded, impactful solutions. We draft legislative language, negotiate with stakeholders, and build consensus around priorities that matter most to our members and allies.
Through direct lobbying, strategic bill tracking, and collaboration with partners to host the coordination of Advocacy Days, we ensure that lawmakers hear from the people most affected by food and farm policies. Our action alerts mobilize a broad base of supporters to take timely action, while D.C. farmer fly-ins to meet with lawmakers and witness testimony during bill hearings bring lived experiences directly into the legislative process.
Beyond legislative wins, we focus on implementation. We stay engaged with government agencies, participate in policy working groups, and facilitate communication to ensure that policies are carried out effectively and equitably. Our roundtables, lawmaker education sessions, and sustained relationship-building with policymakers help shift the culture and priorities of decision-makers toward justice, sustainability, and local control.
This program embodies our belief that lasting change requires organizing, advocacy, and persistence. By weaving together grassroots power, policy expertise, and institutional engagement, we are shaping the future of food and farming from the ground up.
Impactful Solutions
The Alliance creates impactful policy solutions shapes food and farm policy in three key ways:
1. Researching Policy Grounded in Lived Experience
We start with the expertise of those directly impacted by the food and farm system. Through research rooted in lived experience, we identify the most urgent challenges and develop practical, values-based policy solutions that reflect what’s happening on the ground.
2. Educating and Building Champion Policymakers
Advancing impactful policy requires leadership from lawmakers. Strong policy requires strong allies. We work to educate policymakers, build lasting relationships, and foster champions who understand the realities of food and farming. Through legislative farm tours, meetings, briefings, roundtables, and testimony, we help decision-makers become advocates for change.
3. Making Policy Work in Practice
Policy doesn’t end at passage—it begins there. We stay engaged to ensure laws and programs are implemented effectively, equitably, and with accountability. From working with government agencies to participating in policy implementation groups, we make sure good policy delivers real results.
Good solutions only work if there’s proper implementation. To that end, the Alliance participates within agency led working groups and advisory committees to provide feedback from our members and ensure proper enforcement of regulations they’ve helped champion.
What guides/informs our advocacy work/process:
Platform
In 2024, to celebrate our 50th anniversary and look ahead to the next 50 years, our members embarked on a journey to create a policy platform that outlines the deep rooted challenges embedded in our food and farm system, as well as community-driven policy solutions that will lead to change.
This Policy Platform, created with input from hundreds of farmers, eaters, and food and farm organizations across Illinois, serves as a 10 yr roadmap to a just and regenerative future.
Annual Policy Agenda
Alliance members use the policy platform as a guide to prioritize the solutions that are most urgent and impactful. It’s these solutions that make up our annual policy agenda for members to vote on.
With guidance and instruction from the Alliance, members champion winning campaigns to pass their solutions and reap the statewide impact made possible by their lead.
How you can create impactful solutions to food and farm system challenges
Through this program, you gain the tools to influence the policies that shape our food and farm system. Whether you’re working to fix broken laws or push for bold new solutions, you’ll find support every step of the way—from research and drafting policy language to lobbying and public testimony.
You’ll have opportunities to meet directly with lawmakers, join issue campaigns, track legislation, and take action through alerts and advocacy days. You can take part in roundtables, working groups, and fly-ins that bring farmer voices to the forefront. And once policy passes, you’ll be part of efforts to ensure it’s implemented effectively through agency engagement and oversight.
If you’re ready to turn your knowledge and experience into lasting change, this program is here to back you up. You can help advance our farmer-led, eater powered policy solutions to shape our food and farm system.
