A thriving local economy depends on more than business development — it depends on a skilled, engaged, and connected community. That’s the driving force behind Liberty Prairie. For over 30 years, their work in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship has been quietly generating real economic and workforce outcomes right here in Lake County. Liberty Prairie is a Grayslake-based nonprofit situated on 95 acres of certified organic land, halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, and it is a proud player in the region’s local food and agriculture economy. This spring, the power will be on full display with the organization’s many events, including its popular annual Spring Plant Sale and Farm Festival.
A Model Public-Private Partnership in Action
The Spring Plant Sale is more than a fundraiser — it’s the visible result of a collaboration that Liberty Prairie is deeply proud of: an ongoing partnership with Grayslake High School District 127 (D127). Students from Central and North High Schools are currently growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers in greenhouses for local gardeners. This partnership gives D127 students hands-on agricultural and vocational experience — from planting and harvesting to understanding sustainable food supply chains — building skills that translate directly into workforce readiness. All proceeds from the sale go back into sustaining these hands-on learning programs on the farm.
For business leaders thinking about talent pipelines and career-connected learning, this is an interesting model, with many engagement opportunities.
Workforce Development Starts Young
The commitment to hands-on learning doesn’t stop at high school. Liberty Prairie’s farm serves as a Living Laboratory and outdoor classroom, and it’s home to a Summer Farm Camp for students ages 6–12. This six-week, science-forward program builds problem-solving confidence, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility through real, meaningful work — tending communal gardens, caring for our sheep, goats, and chickens, and learning how natural and agricultural systems work together. These are foundational life and professional skills, and Liberty Prairie is committed to cultivating them early.
Anchoring the Local Food Economy
This impact extends into the local business ecosystem through the Liberty Prairie Farm Store, which features sustainable products from over 40 local farmers, producers, and makers — all sourced within 300 miles. A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program serves over 250 subscribing families as well as corporate partners with fresh organic vegetables, locally grown fruit, and pasture-raised eggs for 34 weeks a year — keeping food dollars circulating locally and supporting the regional agricultural businesses that make Lake County’s food landscape so vibrant.
There are many upcoming ways to get involved and support Liberty Prairie’s agricultural efforts. You can see firsthand what 30 years of community investment looks like on the ground during the Spring Plant Sale and Farm Festival on Saturday, May 9th from 8am-3pm. New classroom field trips have become a cornerstone of Liberty Prairie’s farm-to-school education. Students can visit the farm for a hands-on outdoor learning experience where they discover where food and clothing come from, and how people, plants, and animals are connected. Group farm tours are designed specifically for smaller learning communities, clubs, scouts, and community groups to provide an interactive, exploration-based farm experience. With the approach of warm weather and another farming season, there has never been a better time to get connected and support local agriculture and educational career pathways.
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