Who We Are
Illinois Farmlink Staff
Nathan Aaberg
FarmLink Director
217.840.2128 ext. 750
Nathan joined The Land Connection in December 2022 after nine years as Liberty Prairie Foundation’s director of conservation and working lands. There he led the launch and growth of the Northeast Illinois FarmLink program, while also being a catalyst for conservation-oriented, farmland-owning organizations to enhance their farmland management practices collaboratively. He has also worked for Friends of the Chicago River, Conserve Lake County, and a Japanese company for which he organized the export and shipping of Winnebago motorhomes to Japan. Nathan is passionate about finding ways for people and nature to thrive together and believes regenerative agriculture is one of the most important pathways for that to happen.
Ashley Kehrer
FarmLink Navigator
Southern Illinois
217-840-2128 ext: 753
Ashley’s background is deeply rooted in agriculture. She grew up on a small family farm in Southern Illinois and was active in 4-H and FFA. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Illinois. Her professional career has been dedicated to the animal agriculture industry; roles held ranging from research in commercial-scale pork processing, scheduling market hog movements, to managing quality in livestock feed manufacturing.
Agriculture isn’t just a career but a lifestyle for Ashley. Along with her husband, they manage their own farm which includes traditional row crops, custom hay services, and a private label beef business. They made it a family farm by welcoming their daughter in November of 2024. Ashley is passionate about her role at The Land Connection, supporting those that desire a lifestyle in agriculture and ensuring it is a viable option for generations to come.
Any spare time is spent with her horses, camping, hiking and exploring the Shawnee National Forest or other scenic landmarks across the country.
Jeanne Janson
Coordinator & Navigator
Northern Illinois
217.840.2128 ext. 751
After working with Northeast Illinois FarmLink at Liberty Prairie Foundation, Jeanne transitioned to The Land Connection to implement the statewide Illinois FarmLink program. Prior to working in land access, Jeanne spent five seasons farming at various small-scale operations around the country. Most recently she worked at a full-diet CSA farm in upstate New York and a pasture raised livestock farm in Kankakee. As FarmLink Coordinator, her vision is to see more farmers and landowners working together to ensure farming remains a viable profession for future generations. Jeanne dreams of the day where she grazes a herd of dairy gals on natural prairie and enjoys espresso and toast with fresh butter after morning milkings.
Erica Peters
FarmLink Navigator
West Central Illinois
217-840-2128 ext: 752
Erica grew up on her family farm in Heyworth, IL where there was always a barn full of animals and a garden full of produce. She continued her education at the University of Illinois studying Animal Science in the College of ACES. After graduation, she started her career at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery where she was the herd manager for eight years. She supervised the Animal Welfare Approved herd of 100 milking goats and the dairy staff team. She created Erica Peters Photography in 2020 focusing her lens on farm documentary photography to advocate family farmers. Capturing the heart of each farm has given her a unique perspective that only continues to grow her love for agriculture and the people who represent it.
Erica and her husband have owned a farm in Broadlands, Illinois since 2021 where they manage a herd of fallow deer, along with other animals, an orchard, and a garden. She enjoys being outside working on their farm, music, baking, and getting together with family. Erica joined The Land Connection because she has a passion for helping farmers achieve their goals which is very much rooted in her life experiences in agriculture and her work with photography.
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