In this month’s newsletter, we’re excited to pull back the curtain and share a little more about the farmers who make up the Illinois FarmLink database. When creating a profile on our website, farmers are asked a series of questions about their farm business and farmland search, from what kinds of crops they plan to grow to their farming goals. Below we share our top five insights, gathered from looking at this data from the 76 active farmer profiles on the site.
Embracing Diversified Operations
One of the trends we see is the strong interest in diversified farming operations. Out of the farmers on our site, 55% selected multiple crops when creating their profile. The two most popular combinations were a simpler mix of vegetables and fruit trees and a more complex operation with grains, herbs, vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees. This interest in diversifying isn’t limited to crops, though, as 47% of farmers indicated an interest in raising multiple types of livestock. Additionally, the majority of the farmers on our site are interested in diversified farming with both crops and livestock.
High Demand for Small Acreage
While the average size of a farm in Illinois is 375 acres, most of the farmers on Illinois FarmLink are seeking something different. Over half of our users are interested in farms ranging in size from 1 to 50 acres. This highlights a strong demand for smaller parcels of land that lend themselves well to farmers who are at the beginning stages of building their farm business or don’t need as much land for their farm business.
A Commitment to Sustainable Practices
Through our profile database and free advising services, we serve farmers practicing all types of farming. However, 65% of the farmers on our site are interested in sustainable/regenerative or organic farming methods. We define sustainable/regenerative on our site as ‘Integrated plant and animal production approach that stewards human and natural resources by mimicking biological systems and building soil life—minimal chemical inputs.’
Infrastructure is Essential
A critical challenge for many beginning farmers is access to the necessary infrastructure to make a land opportunity viable. A substantial 87% of farmer profiles indicated a need for some kind of infrastructure (barns, fencing, farmer housing, or access to water and electricity). This presents a significant hurdle, as Illinois’ agricultural landscape, largely transformed for conventional row cropping systems, often lacks the infrastructure necessary for farmers pursuing diversified operations.
Idealism and Hope for the Future
Despite the challenges, we consistently see an inspiring sense of idealism and hope in the personal statements within the farmer profiles. These words highlight the passion and dedication of the next generation of Illinois farmers.
“At its core, this farm would be about more than farming — it would be about sowing hope, nurturing community, and cultivating a future where families and the land flourish together.” Imani (Central Illinois)
“This farm is more than a livelihood, it’s a life calling. And I’m ready to begin, even with borrowed land, shared space, or transitional arrangements. All I need is a chance to plant the first seed.” Chelsea (Northern Illinois)