Illinois has some of the finest and richest farmland in the world. However, Illinois farmland is disappearing at an increasing rate, and with it goes many public benefits such as food, control of flooding, protection of wetlands and watersheds, open space, recreational opportunities, and the foundation for a vital rural economy. Strong farmland protection policies need to be put in place to protect this valuable land now and into the future.

Local level: Counties and municipalities have passed ordinances that establish farmland protection commissions to create purchase of agricultural conservation easement programs, which allow landowners to voluntarily donate or sell their development rights to preserve the agricultural use of their property. (Click on these links to view ordinances for  Boone,  Kane,  Kendall, and  McHenry counties.) These commissions have also advocated for designated agricultural land use in comprehensive plans and provided education to the public on the value of agriculture.

As local food production increases in the metropolitan region, a number of policies and ordinances will need to be reviewed to address activities of local food farmers, agri-tourism activities, public health issues, and new business ventures. These ordinances deal with everything from the size of the sign at a farm standm and the preparation of value added products in commercial kitchens to selling food grown in community gardens.

Recently, The City of Chicago passed an  ordinance addressing urban agriculture. The ordinance is an important recognition that community gardens and urban agriculture projects are a legitimate land use in Chicago. It also provides clarity on the rules and regulations for community gardens and other urban agriculture projects and solidifies the role of these uses in the urban fabric of Chicago.

State level: State legislation is needed to give counties the opportunity to generate local funding to purchase development rights and match funding from the federal Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program. Proposed Illinois state legislation allows voters to decide through referenda to raise taxes to purchase agricultural conservation easements. (Click here to learn more about the proposed legislation.)

Federal Level: The Federal Farm Bill will be authorized in 2012. There are a number of programs which both protect farmland and the conservation land within its borders, as well as promote the success of local food production and farmers markets. Programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program, which pays farmers to set aside portions of their land to act as buffers to waterways and natural areas are key land protection vehicles. Programs supporting marketing programs for farmers markets can reinforce the agricultural economy and allow entrepreneurs to succeed.