Since our incorporation in 2001, The Land Connection has had many on-the-ground successes in farmland preservation, organic transitioning, farmer training, local food infrastructure development, and market linking.
2007
November |
Megan Lewis becomes Executive Director. Read Bio |
September |
David Miller joins the staff as Director of Farmland Programs. Read Bio |
June |
The Land Connection begins Farmland Programming to match farmers with farmland, and to encourage the conservation of more acres to organic food production. |
| April |
Board approves The Land Connection's 2007-2009 Strategic Plan. |
| March |
TLC's 3rd Annual RampFest Benefit doubles in size and in funds raised. Named after ramps, the native wild onion that inspired Chicago's name, the event features ramp dishes from local restaurants and a live auction hosted by organic farmer and auctioneer Larry Wettstein. |
| January |
With 15 urban investors, TLC facilitates the purchase of renowned author and biologist Sandra Steingraber's family farm, the 80-acre Maurer Farm, and begins planning its transition to organic production. It becomes the third TLC farm. |
2006 |
| September |
The first class of new farmers graduates Central Illinois Farm Beginnings, and the second class begins. |
| June |
TLC moves into its first permanent office space in Evanston, IL. |
| May |
TLC holds the 2nd annual Rampfest. |
2005 |
| June |
With TLC’s help, Bittner’s Eureka Locker becomes Illinois’ first USDA certified organic meat processing facility. |
| October |
The first certified organic crops are harvested from TLC’s Prairie Farm. |
| April |
TLC holds the 1st annual Rampfest |
2003 |
| May |
TLC purchases 24 additional acres neighboring "Apple Corner". The land, christened “Prairie Farm”, becomes the second TLC farm. |
2002 |
| August |
TLC hosts cookbook author Deborah Madison on tour of local farms. |
| April |
The Kaeb family become the first of several new farmers to rent parts of the land from TLC. They raise laying hens, sell the eggs through a CSA, and plant apple trees. The property is named “Apple Corner.” |
| February |
With the generous donations of many people, TLC purchases the farmland. |
2001 |
| July |
The Land Connection (TLC) is formed in order to purchase the farm and save it from development. |
| May |
A For Sale sign appears on a corner of an old farmer’s 21-acre property in central Woodford County, near Terra Brockman’s family farm. |
