Mission

What are we about?

Our mission is to teach the art, history and practice of small sustainable family farming across America.

What does that mean?

That means we are educating new farmers, young farmers, and other interested people how to have or support sustainable small family farms. A sustainable farm not only takes care of the land and environment, but also takes care of the farm family and all of the people associated with them and their farm. That includes consumers of farm products…and that includes everyone.

How are we touching people’s lives?

By holding classes, workshops and seminars that teach about the farming life and the farming techniques needed for a small family farm to survive and thrive. We work with all sorts of organizations, such as universities and government organizations, to bring knowledge to more people. We support small family farm groups, such as Stewards of the Land, LLC, whose members include young entrepreneurs and families with children. We work with the media to promote events and write articles about small family farms. We encourage everyone to be active in purchasing healthy food and products from local farmers.

What types of information are taught?

Programs at our Spence Farm location range from making maple syrup to beekeeping, growing a prairie to growing garlic, small farm equipment to woodland management. Tours at the farm are provided to those who would like to learn a little of everything in a short amount of time. Seminars around the state include talks on marketing of farm products, forming farmer groups, and specialty crop niches.

The Foundation is currently involved in bringing high quality programs to school children and teachers, meeting Illinois State Standard requirements while still teaching valuable small farming heritage and techniques. University students are able to work on a myriad of projects that not only teach about small farms but also provide them college credits. And teachers are able to come to the farm with continued education classes to learn ways they can bring the small farm experience to their students at school.