The Liberty Prairie Foundation

The Liberty Prairie Foundation’s mission is to promote the integration of healthy ecosystems and the vibrant human communities they support.

The Liberty Prairie Foundation is nationally recognized as a leader in developing and supporting enterprises that build and strengthen our local food system while enhancing the natural landscape.

The Foundation provides leadership and financial support for local food system development, social entrepreneurship, land conservation, environmental education, and civic engagement. We envision a world where people of all ages are deeply connected to their food, land and community, and therefore make choices toward sustainable systems in nature and society.

The Liberty Prairie Foundation has been working to develop a sustainable local food system since 1995. Over the years, we have built many innovative partnerships locally, regionally and nationally and have leveraged these efforts to advance our work in Lake County.

Facilities and Programs

The Liberty Prairie Foundation owns and is headquartered at the 100 acre certified organic Prairie Crossing Farm. To advance our mission, the Liberty Prairie Foundation operates the following programs and facilities:

• Prairie Crossing Farm
  • Farm Business Development Center
  • Learning Farm
• Byron Colby Barn

Sandhill Family Farms is a for-profit independent owner operated business that leases land from the Liberty Prairie Foundation, and is also located at the Prairie Crossing Farm.

Resources

The Liberty Prairie Foundation has created or collaborated with others to produce the following resources aligned with our mission:

• Building Communities with Farms. This report is an outgrowth of a Liberty Prairie Foundation workshop at Prairie Crossing with developers, architects, and farmers from across the country.
• Local Food Systems. This website is a result of Lake County food systems planning partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Liberty Prairie Foundation, Conserve Lake County, the Lake County Forest Preserve District, Openlands and others.
• Farmer Training Roundtable Summary (2012). In partnership with the Illinois Local Food, Farms & Jobs Council, the Liberty Prairie Foundation hosted/facilitated a statewide roundtable on farmer training.
• Route 53/120 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council. The Liberty Prairie Foundation played a key role in the Blue Ribbon Advisory Council. George A. Ranney, Jr., Board Member , co-chaired the Mobility & Finance working group and Mike Sands, Senior Associate, chaired the Environmental & Sustainability working group.