BUILDING A LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. Brad Leibov Liberty Prairie Foundation

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1 BUILDING A LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM Brad Leibov Liberty Prairie Foundation

2 The USDA gave $ billion last year in commodity, crop insurance, and supplemental disaster assistance to primarily large industrial farms. In the same year, the USDA spent less than $100 million to support local and regional food system farmers.

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4 ECONOMICS OF LOCAL FOOD Illinois consumers spend $14 billion/yr. on fruits and vegetables. IL region capable of producing 85% of this volume (6% currently). 90% of consumers would buy local produce if conveniently available. Potential unmet demand is approximately $10 billion. Source: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

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6 The Mano a Mano Community Garden at the WJ Murphy Elementary School on Greenwood Drive in Round Lake Park. The College of Lake County s new sustainable agriculture curriculum will prepare students to work as skilled farm workers, managers or future entrepreneurs. CRAFT was founded in 1997 by a group of family farmers and works to train our next generation of organic, biodynamic, and/or sustainable farmers. CRAFT members gain access to hands-on training and learn skills that will help them advance from farming novice to starting and running their own farm.

7 LIBERTY PRAIRIE FOUNDATION FARMLAND

8 Goals: PRAIRIE CROSSING FARM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Increase the number of new farm entrepreneurs successfully farming in the Chicago region; Increase the supply of fresh, locally produced organic produce; Improve the value/acre of organic farm production to successfully integrate farming as a sustainable land use in the suburban areas of the Chicago region; Increase the number of new high quality jobs in the farm sector.

9 PRAIRIE CROSSING FARM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Operation Summary: Applicants provide business plan and demonstration of capacity to start a new farm business. Successful applicant provided a lease for up to 5 acres (with irrigation), greenhouse access, limited equipment, processing and cooler facilities. Beginning farmers responsible for market development, maintaining organic certification, financing etc. Progress towards business plan goals monitored annually. Farmers expected to graduate in 5 years.

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16 PRAIRIE CROSSING FARM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER I now have 5 years experience, I need more land, what s next? Working with partners (Conserve Lake County, public sector land holders, private landowners) find an appropriate opportunity for secure long term access to local farmland. Five years of experience and financial results provide a more compelling business plan to potential financing sources. Successfully launched several farm enterprises in the Chicago Region with more to come.

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18 FRESH TASTE Fresh Taste was initial formed by The Chicago Community Trust, the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Liberty Prairie Foundation, and the Lumpkin Family Foundation. The values we share include: Equity of food access Sustainability (environmental, economic and social) Community and economic development that promotes fairness and environmental stewardship Diversity, as it applies to both human populations and food across the region

19 GREAT LAKES FOOD HUB NETWORK The Great Lakes Food Hub Network (GLFHN) is a trust-based collaboration of food hub practitioners focused on delivering the full value of local foods to markets in ways that build community wealth. Governed by a Council of the Commons, GLHFN s affiliates are committed to shared values aimed at developing successful social enterprises.

20 The National Good Food Network is bringing together people from all parts of the rapidly emerging good food system producers, buyers, distributors, advocates, investors and funders to create a community dedicated to scaling up good food sourcing and access.

21 Source: Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

22 Impact Engine supports entrepreneurial ventures creating a positive social impact. Impact Engine is the first center in the Midwest designed to accelerate the most promising social impact ventures from concept to execution. Impact Engine s inaugural cohort will include eight to twelve participating social entrepreneurs and their ventures selected through a competitive process.

23 Sustainable Local Food Investment Group (SLoFIG) SLoFIG is a network of angel investors who share the mission of using private investment to re-establish a robust, sustainable local food system across the Chicago foodshed, while realizing a profitable return.

24 KICKSTARTER Kickstarter has become a hub for those involved in the sustainable, local food scene. Last year, 241 successful sustainable or local food projects netted over $2.8 million from more than 30,000 backers! Farmers, entrepreneurs, writers, chefs, and food groups are expanding markets, innovating new growing systems, and telling us stories of our food and and how to prepare it. Communities rural and urban are growing gardens. Three Revolutions builds a vital link between these leaders and the rest of us.

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26 PRAIRIE CROSSING LEARNING FARM School Classes at the Farm Prairie Crossing Charter School Montessori School of Lake Forest Prairie Farm Corps Paid summer internships for teenagers Children s Farm Camp Henhouse Helpers Community Gardens Gleaning Program

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30 Looking for more information? Liberty Prairie Foundation