We’re creating impactful food and farm solutions.
By advancing farmer-led, eater-powered policy changes
We’re advancing farmer-led, eater powered policy solutions to address corporate consolidation in our food and farm system.
Our solutions prioritize and center the needs of farmers, the health of our communities and the conservation of our state’s natural resources.
The Alliance creates impactful Farm & Food solutions in three key ways:
2. Educating lawmakers and champions of change
Educating and Building Champion Policymakers
Advancing policy solutions requires strong leadership from lawmakers. By deepening trust, building lasting relationships, and through ongoing issue education, we foster legislative allies who understand the realities of food and farming.
Through grower-led legislative farm tours, engaging roundtable discussions, and real-lived testimony, we help decision-makers become informed change-makers who can help advance our solutions through the legislative process.
3. Making policy work in practice
Making Policy Work in Practice
Policy solutions don’t end at bill passage—they begin there. We 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.
For example, when the inaugural Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act passed in 2023 (championed by our members!), the Alliance created the model for grant applications and award distribution for the Illinois Department of Agriculture to adopt for future grant administration.
1. Researching policy grounded in lived experience
Researching Policy Grounded in Lived Experience
We start with the expertise of those whose livelihoods are dependent upon 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.
Our 10-year Policy Platform and our Annual Policy Agenda reflect the issues most urgent to our community, and most impactful in creating a more just and regenerative food and farm system.
Read our long-term Policy Platform
In 2024 we celebrated our 50th anniversary and looked ahead to our next chapter. 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.
Our first long-term 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.
Every legislative win chips away at a consolidated, corporate-controlled farm and food system, and builds one what works for us all.
