For nearly a century, Farm Foundation has brought together leaders from across the agricultural sector to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. In recent years, the organization’s leadership recognized the need to take its work further. They sought to move beyond convening and conversation into a space where innovation could be seen, tested, and accelerated on the ground.
The goal was to create a place where Farm Foundation’s mission could be lived every day through programming that focused on soil health, conservation, market development, and innovation applications of technology. This required a site with not only the right geography and infrastructure, but also a surrounding community ready to embrace and enhance the work.
The search began in earnest in 2022, with a specific focus on Illinois, where the Foundation’s legacy is firmly rooted. The team visited more than 40 sites across the state. Ultimately, it was the very first property—Casey Farm in Libertyville—that set the standard. And in 2023, Farm Foundation’s Innovation and Education Campus opened for business.
A Rich Cultural Legacy
The Casey family, and the Bulls family before them, cultivated the land for generations. This legacy dating back to the mid-19th century offered Farm Foundation a deep historical connection to the evolution of American agriculture. Today, the campus enables visitors to experience that transformation from the days of ox-drawn plows to today’s sophisticated agtech tools.
The land itself tells a story. It showcases the progression of farming practices while also supporting forward-looking efforts like soil conservation, diversification of crops, and sustainable water management. The property’s topography, high-quality soil, and the presence of Bulls Brook provide an ideal setting for demonstrating the relationships between agriculture, ecology, and innovation.
This blend of legacy and innovation allows Farm Foundation to use the campus as a platform for education and dialogue. Here, stakeholders can engage with emerging technologies, see how cover crops restore soil health, or explore how new markets can be developed from regenerative practices.
A Thriving Ecosystem of Partners
One of the most compelling reasons for selecting Lake County was the strength of the local ecosystem. Farm Foundation had already partnered with Openlands, a conservation organization focused on protecting the natural and agricultural landscapes of northeastern Illinois. When Openlands mentioned they had a property in Libertyville that might be a fit, the Farm Foundation team was quick to explore it—and were instantly captivated.
What followed was the discovery of a broader network of potential collaborators including Liberty Prairie Foundation, Lake County Partners, the College of Lake County, Lake County Forest Preserve, Libertyville Township and the University of Illinois Extension. Each of these organizations brings unique strengths from youth education to land stewardship to applied research and all share a commitment to community, sustainability, and innovation.
Central Access, National Reach
Lake County’s central location and strong transportation infrastructure provided another critical advantage. Situated just north of Chicago and within 30 miles of O’Hare International Airport, the site is easy to reach from anywhere in the world. With direct access to major highways and transit routes, national and international stakeholders can easily visit the campus.
As an organization with a global reach with stakeholders and Board members scattered across the world, this accessibility supports one of Farm Foundation’s core strengths: its ability to bring together diverse voices from across the food and agriculture value chain. Whether it’s policymakers, producers, academics, or business leaders, the Innovation and Education Campus provides a convenient, inspiring place to meet and move ideas into action.
A Place Where Innovation Grows
The Chicagoland region is one of the most diverse and dynamic food and agriculture markets in the country. Home to more than 4,000 companies in the agri-food sector, the area offers abundant opportunities for collaboration and cross-sector engagement. From legacy brands to cutting-edge startups, companies throughout the region are shaping the future of farming, food production, and sustainable supply chains.
Lake County itself has a strong ag and food footprint. By locating the campus here, Farm Foundation positions itself at the intersection of tradition and transformation, where research, policy, business, and community can come together to tackle the most important challenges in agriculture.
At the Innovation and Education Campus, Farm Foundation’s programs now have a place to grow—literally and figuratively. Whether piloting new conservation methods, showcasing climate-smart farming strategies, or building the next generation of ag leaders, Farm Foundation is using its new home to accelerate solutions with real-world impact.
Planting Seeds for the Future
The Innovation and Education Campus is more than a building or a piece of land. It is a living demonstration of what’s possible when vision, purpose, and place align. It gives Farm Foundation the opportunity to host hands-on workshops, develop long-term programming, and introduce new audiences to the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture today.
By choosing Lake County, Farm Foundation made a clear and powerful statement. This community, with its history, diversity, accessibility, and forward-looking spirit, is the ideal place to support the next chapter of work. The campus is already attracting attention from across the globe, bringing people to Lake County and inspiring new partnerships that promise to shape the food and agriculture systems of tomorrow.
Rentals at the Innovation & Education Campus
In addition to welcoming stakeholders from across the agriculture industry, Farm Foundation’s Innovation and Education Campus hosts occasional community events and is available for rentals by organizations of all kinds. Whether for a meeting, strategy session, or team-building retreat, this distinctive venue offers a one-of-a-kind setting that blends the natural beauty of Illinois’ prairie landscape with a rich agricultural legacy. The site features a centuries-old farmhouse, a historic dairy barn, and Farm Foundation’s brand new, high-tech Innovation and Education Center. To learn more about hosting your next event at the facility in Lake County, connect with the Farm Foundation via Todd Price, the VP of Operations at Todd@FarmFoundation.org.