The Land Connection

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3.11.10 - 3.13.10
Family Farmed Expo

3.20.10
Openfields Local Foods Conference

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2.01.10
Mindful Metropolis
Straight from the (Rose) Heart

1.04.10
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Here Comes the Sun (Choke)

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Food and Farm Issues in the News

10.07.09
Grist
Pollan shoots down organic myths at Grist event

8.30.09
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Field Report: Family Heirlooms A seventh-generation farm finds a future in unusually delicious crops

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Becky
After a year of searching, this Central IL Farm Beginnings graduate finally found the right piece of farmland.  She is now working to rejuvenate and restore an old farm, and to grow fruits and vegetables for her family and her community.

Midwest Farm Connection

Because there are few resources that help new farmers find land at economical prices, The Land Connection’s Midwest Farm Connection website provides a vital link between farmers and farmland owners.

For now, if you have farmland you’d like to be farmed sustainably, or if you are looking for farmland to farm, please contact us.

Posts will be deleted six months after posting date. Please contact us to re-post your listing.


Location: LaSalle County next to Matthiessen State Park

An elegant 8-room country inn bed & breakfast on 14 acres is for sale.  Ten of those acres are just flat meadow with easily tillable, fertile soil.

Contact: Ryan, owner.  www.brightwoodinn.com  815-667-4600


Location: 360 Bower Road northeast of the intersection with County Road N 3200 E. Easy access via maintained Iroquois County roads.  Parcel starts about 330’ north of the intersection and extends another 320’ north along Bower Road. Connect yourself to this pristine 5.5-acre site and make it work for your agricultural endeavors. Establish your new sustainable lifestyle on this economical land. Nestled between the Iroquois County Conservation Area (Illinois), the Willow Slough State Fish and Game Reservation (Indiana), and proximate to the LaSalle Fish and Game Reservation (Indiana).  Fish and hunt for your protein and grow your organic produce on this land. The ultimate sustainable lifestyle, live off the land experience in our modern society.  Canoe and kayak on public land or skydive onto your own private landing strip. Currently tillable land for organic produce, hothouse vegetable farm, flower/nursery greenhouse. Electricity available at the road.  The property measures about 760’ E-W by 320’ N-S. Directions: From Beaverville 5 mi east on E3100N Road to N700W RD 1 mi north to E3200N RD west ¼ mi to Bower Road 330’ north to property. From St. Anne 7mi east on E7000S Road to N700W Road 3 mi south to E3200N Road to BOWER Road 330’ north to property.

Price: $20,000 – Can be purchased as 4 separate 1.4 acre parcels for $6,000 each. Subdivided and buildable for 4 separate houses.

Contact:  John Wrobel (312) 202-9200 phone & fax, jwrealty@sbcglobal.net

Posting Date: September 7, 2009

Sugar Prairie Wildlife Corridor -
Wanted:  Sustainable Farmers and other ecosystem partners/investors.

Join us near the scenic Sugar River in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.  Protect, restore, re-connect, and enjoy our unique natural areas (sand prairie, oak savanna, river corridor, wetlands) while building a local & regional food network and ecosystem-based economy. Help to ensure orderly transition of lands to the next generation of stewards.

Why join this community?  Many small farms here (5-20 acres; 40-80 acres) border wild lands which are already protected, or adjoin larger tracts of land which are priorities for future protection as farmland and wild lands. Traditional farmsteads offer generous housing possibilities for beginning farmers, landowners, tenants, or other partners, as well as outbuildings for on-farm processing or other rural ventures.  Nearby “farmettes” (1-2 acres), complemented by available housing and storefronts in the small towns and hamlets of the watershed, might also be creatively re-connected to local food systems and eco-businesses.  Easy access to markets in Beloit, Rockford, Madison, and Chicago. 

Listed below are immediate opportunities, located within minutes of each other on a sand prairie between the Sugar River and Rockton. Many neighboring farms are also in transition. Similar opportunities throughout the Sugar and Pecatonica River watersheds.

Location: Sugar Prairie Wildlife Corridor (113 acres); 16360 Cannell Rd, Rockton, IL 61072.  Incubator Farm. Large farmhouse to rent or share. Will consider long-term transfer or co-ownership. Traditional 5 acre farmstead with excellent barns, outbuildings, and several small fenced pastures.  80 acre ag conservation easement (prairie & oak savanna). Sandy soils.  Free-range chickens. Composted hay & horse manure grow great squash & tomatoes here. Seeking partners interested in rotational grazing on native vegetation, to cooperate among neighbors.  
Contact: Nina Langoussis  -  815-629-2779  -  sugarprairie@gmail.com

Location: Limestone Farmhouse (15 acres); 9265 Yale Bridge Rd, Rockton, IL  61072. $199,900.  Lovely setting.  Well maintained; vacant.  Adjacent to 39 & 80 acre parcels that have been cash rented for prairie grass & hay. 
Contact: Realtor Ginny Meyer  -  815-637-0139

Location: Gundry’s Shorthorns (5 acre farmstead); 8530 Yale Bridge Rd, Rockton, IL  61072.  $230,000.  Immaculate 3-BR farmhouse, plus a couple barns; great view.  For Sale by Owner, as they bought their relative’s place nearby.  Would make a great CSA.  Right across the road from a very large parcel that’s in CRP – graze in future? 
Contact: 815-629-2554

Location: Long-Vacant farmstead (6 acres); 7709 Yale Bridge Rd, Rockton, IL  61072. $136,000.  For Sale by absentee Owner.  Long-term rented; long-time vacant. Make an offer.  Would also make a great CSA or limited grazing.  Very sunny. 
Contact: 815-623- 9169

Location: Old watermelon farm (12 acres); 15236 Prairie Rd, Rockton, IL  61072. $275,000. Well-maintained house; large outbuildings, and grain storage bins. Land is rented out;  across the road is large farm that is also cash-rented.
Contact: Realtor Susan Fox  -  815-623-1169

Posting Date: September 7, 2009


Fresh 34 Acre Organic Farming/Small Animal Husbandry Property for Sale

Location: County, In.- 2.5 hrs. from Chicago, 3 hrs. from Indianapolis

Located in midst of Amish farmland this 34 acre plot has 15 acres of cropland that has lain fallow for at least 25 years. It has a hardwood forest, stream, and pond. There is a 5300 sq. ft. timber-frame house with quality workmanship, including a small attached greenhouse. There is a potting shed, and one storage building located on the property. The property is also ideal for a Bed and Breakfast operation, retreat center, etc. $775,000 and willing to negotiate.

Contact: Arlene Shannon arleneshannon43@yahoo.com


280 Acres Prime Livingston County Farm Land – Must be farmed organically – all acres certified with OCIA

Location: Livingston County, approximately 5 miles north of Flanagan, which is west of Pontiac.

The property is equipped with a modern watering system, large cattle barn, and approximately 23 acres of pasture currently worked in a seven year rotation.  A house is not available on the property.

Contact: Evelyn Riebe at (815) 689-2605 or eriebe@frontiernet.net
Posting Date: September 1, 2009


5 ACRE FARM WITH CONVENIENT CHICAGO NORTHWEST SUBURB LOCATION

Location: Unincorporated Woodstock in McHenry county Illinois

Great opportunity for organic / sustainable farming. We had a goat herd for natural pasture maintenance. Features a 30 x 72 barn and several large garden plots. Bring your own ideas.

Contact: Click here and also at www.CrossroadsInParadise.com
Posting Date: June 14, 2009


Fresh Six-Acre Organic Farming Opportunity

Location: Lowpoint (Woodford County, Illinois), 26 miles NE of Peoria

This six-acre farming plot, in the heartland of Illinois, is a natural opportunity for a farmer, interested in organic farming. For the past 20 years, this six-acre plot has not been plowed nor been sprayed with pesticide nor herbicide. It is currently fallow, but in previous years, it has been used as pasture land. The entering farmer has access to the well and a barn. The owners are open to a variety of business arrangements.

Contact: Jim Blackwood at 309-443-5061 or jaybar@ocslink.com
Posting Date: March 24, 2009


Fresh 5 Acre Agricultural Farmette for Sale $198,500

Location: Winnebago (Winnebago County, Illinois), 20 miles West of Rockford

The plot yields well to a variety of configurations, as it is an ample 600 feet wide by 300 feet deep and has never been farmed. The farm opportunity is located in Winnebago, 20 miles West of Rockford. It includes a 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath farmhouse.

Contact: Johny Davis at 773-299-3203
Posting Date: March 3, 2009


Seeking Farmer to Bring Sustainable Practices to Farmland

Location: Hopedale (Tazewell County, Illinois), between Peoria and Bloomington Seeking farmer to transition whole 60-65 acre parcel of farmland to include more sustainable crops and methods. Currently we are growing corn and soybeans conventionally, but we’d like to add cover crops and decrease our chemical load.

Contact: Dennis Ford at 309-253-3133, or dford_61747@yahoo.com
Posting Date: March 3, 2009


LOOKING FOR ORGANIC FARMER IN DUNDEE TOWNSHIP

Posting Date: March 10, 2009

Are you a farmer looking for great land with plenty of nearby consumers and markets for your produce?

The Dundee Township Board (in Kane County, north and west of Chicago) is accepting proposals for long-term leasing of 16 acres of protected township land to an organic crop farmer. The land borders a prairie/woodland on one side, and will be a great example of natural land and working land functioning together in a suburban area and providing people with healthy local foods.

There are 2 farmers markets within a mile of this land, and plenty of local consumers for a pick-your-own, or CSA operation. Additionally, the township’s own local food pantry may be another consumer channel. There is also the opportunity for the farmer to work with the township and the community to involve school children and others in farm-based educational programming.

The township is now accepting applications. Please include a farm business plan.

On a side note, the farmland is adjacent to a privately-owned greenhouse. The greenhouse owner is also interested in renting out space.

Slideshow: Click Here

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For more information, please contact Dundee Township Supervisor Susan Harney, suedt@dundeetownship.org, 557 Barrington Ave, East Dundee, IL 60188, 847-428-8092


250 ACRES LOOKING FOR ORGANIC/SUSTAINABLE TENANT

This flat land near Highland, IL (30 miles from St. Louis) has pastured cattle for a number of years, and could stay as pasture or be put into row crops. It is not currently certified organic, but could be, as no prohibited substances have been used for over three years. For more information contact Jerry Straeter, at 618-654-2161 ext. 464.


Central Illinois Farmstead for Lease or Purchase

Posting Date: 10/01/08

Location: 6 miles north of El Paso, IL (2 miles east of I-39, and 15 miles west of I55)

Details: The owner of this 8+ acre farmstead (farmhouse and 15 out-buildings) is looking for the right steward to revitalize the property as a working organic farm. The farmland is some of the very best in the entire region. In addition to the farmstead area and tillable acres, there is a catalpa grove with some walnut trees that serves as a small wildlife refuge.

The 2-story, 3-bedroom farmhouse with full basement is solid, but would need some work. The outbuildings include two barns, one corn crib, two grain storage bins, large machine shed, small machine shed, very nice brooder house, small chicken house, and large chicken/turkey house. Although ideal for a medium-sized poultry operation, the buildings are in good shape and could easily be re-purposed to serve as produce sorting, washing, and packing areas, or transformed into areas to do value-added processing.

Located between Minonk and El Paso Illinois, the property is about 20 minutes from Bloomington/Normal (with 2 farmers markets), 30 minutes from the thriving Metamora farmers market, 45 minutes from the Peoria Riverfront market, and 2 hours from the Chicago markets.

The owner is open to any and all arrangements that put a good, conscientious farmer on working land. These include, but aren't limited to, house repairs offsetting a portion of rent, straight lease, lease-to-own, or outright purchase.

Slideshow: Click Here

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Contact: Joel Smith at 773-477-0792

WANTED: farm property to create a model Organic farm in Illinois, Indiana or SW Michigan.

Posting Date: 3/4/09

The project will include:

  • permanent farmland preservation
  • large-scale organic food production
  • wildlife conservation
  • significant reforestation
  • a global internship program
  • alternative energy and building projects

Click here for addition information (PDF) or contact Tom Ulick
phoenixwisc@yahoo.com or 773-307-3931.


Three-Share Land Coop Seeks to Sell Farmhouse Share

Location: Dane County, WI - 20 miles west of Madison

Posting date: 3/24/2009

Big proponents of the organic/local food movement could help farmer or country dweller get started on an amazingly beautiful farm just 20 miles west of Madison, Wisconsin, Farmhouse share includes all of the large, beautiful farmhouse and most of barn. The 110 plus 50 acres are controlled by all three owners (three separate homes.) The land has been organic for many years. Farmhouse share also includes barnyard, irrigation system, hoop-house, and waterers in the field. The exact amount of acreage that one could farm is negotiable and may vary depending on the type of farming one wanted to do (20-40acres). Hiking trails connect to miles of roadless and diverse wild land. Land contains a couple of springs and two beautiful creeks, hardwood forests, pastures and rich bottomland, beautiful outlooks and solitude that is hard to find. Out of sight and earshot of road traffic.

We open to exploring creative partnerships, rent to own, land contract, etc.

Contact: Tim Cordon at 608-516-6455 or cordon4peace@yahoo.com


Offering 3-4 Acre Garden Plot to a Beginning Farmer

Posting Date: March 10, 2009

Location: 8 miles North of Taylorville (Christian County, Illinois), 25 miles from Springfield, 25 miles from Decatur.

We are seeking a beginning farmer to sustainably farm 3-4 acres of primarily annual crops. The garden plot has access to our well. This garden plot is part of our larger 250 acre farm on which we organically raise grass-fed beef, sheep, goats and crops for them.

We would not expect payment in the first year. Owner regrets that housing is not available on-site.

Contact: Please leave Paul Gebhart a message at 217-325-3250, or paul2tall_2222@yahoo.com

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