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:
1. 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.
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.
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.
Every legislative win chips away at a consolidated, corporate-controlled farm and food system, and builds one what works for us all.
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.
