Creates recreational opportunities and tourism

Farmland throughout northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana offer a wide range of outdoor endeavors—from biking and bird-watching to paddling and pumpkin picking. Farmers who open their land for these activities expand opportunities beyond what can be provided by publicly owned land. Farmland buffers conservation land with trails through forests and along pasture and prairies, connecting us with beautiful landscapes and healthy outdoor activity and giving us a sense of place. 

Farms in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana help reconnect us with the land and our history. Old grist mills and 19th- century barns open a window to the past. Other farms allow families to pick their own apples and pumpkins, helping them understand where food comes from. For example, Angelic Organics Farm, Didier Farms, and Green Earth Institute offer a variety of informative classes, activities, and workshops, ranging from nutrition in schools and children’s programs to beekeeping and backyard chicken care.

Also, some landowners offer hunting leases for deer and turkey seasons or even run commercial hunting clubs and outfitter businesses on their property—farmland bought for hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching has increased the overall value of farmland in Illinois. And the Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers funding and liability protections to landowners to allow public access for hunting and fishing, helping farmers protect the land’s natural and agricultural heritage. 

Overall, agricultural tourism, or “agritourism,” is an important economic driver, generating significant revenue for local economies. According to the 2007 U.S. Census of Agriculture, 665 Illinois farms provided $11.7 million in agritourism and recreation services.