Growing A Stronger Cook County Together
Since 1920, Cook County Farm Bureau® has served families involved or interested in farming and agriculture. Service is at the heart of everything we do, from assisting members broaden their consumer base to supporting students seeking higher education. We are investing in our communities by supporting nonprofit organizations through financial support and engaging our members and employees in our volunteer efforts.
Our Giving Philosophy
Cook County Farm Bureau’s mission is to serve all our members of the Cook County Farm Bureau® with meaningful and beneficial programs that reflect our agricultural heritage. Our corporate giving priorities embody this mission by supporting nonprofit organizations in our core areas of focus: investing in agricultural leaders, enriching the local community, and championing agriculture.
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Investing in Agricultural Leaders |
We strive to inspire and empower agricultural leaders through education opportunities and community activities.
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Enriching the Local Community |
We create rich and diverse opportunities for community growth by providing resources for those families and communities in need.
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Championing Agriculture |
We champion agriculture and agricultural innovation by supporting causes that improve the agricultural industry and the lives and businesses of our farmer members. |
Our Impact
Our corporate giving efforts are rooted in Cook County in which our members, volunteers, and employees live and work. In addition to supporting community efforts, our contributions also benefit state or nationwide causes that enhance the agricultural industry.
A copy of our "Cook County Farm Bureau Supports the Community" booklet is available here.
All requests for support should be submitted in writing to Robert Rohrer, Manager, Cook County Farm Bureau® Board of Directors at 6438 Joliet Rd., Countryside, IL 60525.
Fields of Change: Growing a Stronger Cook County Together
Throughout 2025, the Cook County Farm Bureau® strengthened its roots in the community- partnering with local farmers, students, families, and non-profits to grow opportunities, deepen connections, and share agriculture’s impact across the county.
Supporting Local Farmers
Cook County Farm Bureau championed the people who grow our food by connecting them directly with consumers and policymakers.
Promoting local farms: Through a four-page Co-Operator insert, our “Discover Local” directory, Market Maker listings, and seasonal spotlights, Farm Bureau helped elevate farm businesses and bring customers closer to the source of their food.
Advocating for agriculture: We represented farmers’ voices at municipal and county board meetings, built strong relationships with elected leaders, and achieved meaningful results- expanding farming opportunities on forest preserve property, supporting the operations of Wagner Farm in Glenview, and the approval of an urban agriculture district in the City of Chicago.
Farm Bureau supports the development of an Urban Agriculture District in the City of Chicago. In light of Farm Bureau policy 49 Urban Agriculture, which was developed and proposed by Cook County Farm Bureau in 2021, Farm Bureau asked City of Chicago Aldermen to support ordinance 2025-0018235, the sale of city property in the Pullman neighborhood for the purpose of creating an urban agriculture district.
Policy 49 supports the inclusion of urban agriculture into land developments and encourages the use of land management tools to create urban agriculture areas. The policy also recognizes the economic value and importance of urban agriculture to the economy.
Farm Bureau provides comments in support of the Wagner Farm Master Plan. Prior to the Park District meeting, Farm Bureau stated: Wagner Farm plays a critical role in helping children and adults understand where their food comes from, how animals contribute to our food system, and the importance of ethical farming. It offers a rare hands-on experience for youth and families who might otherwise never see a dairy cow or learn how milk is produced. This exposure builds appreciation, not only for agriculture but also for the people and animals involved in feeding our communities. Wagner Farm’s Master Plan and Farm Bureau leadership and staff provided testimony in support of the farm and plan during the meeting.
Investing in community growing spaces: More than $2,450 in grants helped community gardens and urban farms purchase plants, seeds, and essential materials to grow fresh, local food. Grant recipients include:
- Green Thumb In A Box-Michigan Terrace Garden, Washington Park, is a living demonstration garden designed to inspire and educate residents on how to grow food in small spaces. Grant funds will be used for plantings, seed, soil, and supplies for the garden.
- Riverside Community Garden, Riverside, is dedicated to providing fresh produce to food-insecure families. Grant funds will be used for plants, compost, and soil.
- Berwyn Roots: Serenity Park Community Garden/Proska Park Children’s Garden/ Ebenezer Neighborhood Garden, Berwyn, provides low-cost events that encourage the growing of food, fruit, and pollinators. Grant funds will be used for vegetable and herb plants, perennials, compost, and supplies for the garden.
- Community Roots Garden NFP, South Shore, serves the south side with produce and herbs in raised garden beds. Grant funds will be used for herb plantings, fruit bushes, and strawberry plants.
- ATTCOM’s Garden of Hope, Englewood, provides the community with access to fresh vegetables, herbs, and berries via ATTCOM’s food pantry. Grant funds will be used for vegetable and tomato plants, compost, soil, pollinator seeds, and supplies for the garden.
- South Holland Kids Community Garden, South Holland, serves several school districts within the Village. Grant funds will be used for vegetable plantings, seeds, compost, soil, and lumber.
- Respond Now Community Garden, Chicago Heights, The garden provides community members in need with fresh and nutritious produce for the local food pantry and a place to gather to learn how to grow their own food. Grant funds will be used for vegetable plantings and starters, compost, fertilizer, and supplies.
Inspiring the Next Generation
We believe the future of agriculture starts in the classroom.
Over 24,000 reached through school programming
Over 1,000 classrooms reached
Over 200 schools received agricultural education
Teachers, administrators, and parents also participated in specialized workshops and learning sessions.
Supporting college and vocational students: The Cook County Farm Bureau® Foundation awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to students pursuing agriculture and mental health-related degrees and supported continuing education for healthcare providers and ag leaders.
Expanding career pathways: We funded vocational training scholarships for students in truck driving, diesel mechanics, welding, and ag technology- preparing them for vital careers connected to agriculture.
Helping Local Families Thrive
Together with members and partners, Farm Bureau members worked to ease food insecurity and meet essential needs across Cook County.
Fighting hunger: Donations of food staples and more than $7,000 in member contributions supported two local food pantries- Hattie B. Williams Food Pantry, Oak Forest, and Maine Township, Park Ridge.
Meeting hygiene needs: A countywide hygiene product drive provided much-needed support for families facing tough times.
Food Checkout Day celebrates the healthy and nutritious food local farmers grow and raise by providing food or cash donations to people in need.
Nearly $7,000 was donated to local Cook County pantries in celebration of Food Checkout Day this year and the healthy and nutritious food grown and raised by local farmers. The donations directly benefited the one in seven individuals in Cook County who are hungry.
In addition to traditional food donations, Cook County Farm Bureau’s Young Leader Committee hosted their first hygiene product drive. Members and leaders donated personal care items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, and lotion.
“Cook County and Illinois farmers are committed to growing safe and nutritious food for our families and for others,” said Janet McCabe, President of Cook County Farm Bureau. “Food Checkout Day allows us to recognize the importance of healthy, nutritious food while supporting local families in need, especially during this time of elevated food prices.”
Investing in Environmental Stewardship
Farm Bureau remains committed to protecting the land, water, and pollinators that sustain us all.
Protecting pollinators: Since 2022, over $16,000 has been invested in local pollinator projects, including providing low-cost seed to members, hosting educational events with the Lincoln Park and Brookfield Zoos, and engaging consumers in conversations about the importance of pollinator health.
Advancing nutrient reuse research: Farm Bureau has supported research on struvite as a sustainable, slow-release phosphorus source for specialty crops. Since 2021, Farm Bureau has invested over $57,750 in nutrient reduction education and research to help farmers innovate responsibly.
Partnering with Non-Profits for Greater Impact
Collaboration strengthens our community impact. Farm Bureau provided financial and in-kind support to organizations, including the Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association, Friends of Wagner Farm, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Illinois Specialty Growers Association, among others.
As the county’s largest farm organization, Cook County Farm Bureau® is dedicated to bridging the gap between farmers and urban consumers. Through education programs targeting youth and their parents and programs designed to connect farmers with potential consumers, Farm Bureau members are actively engaging in conversations about food and the shared values between farmers and consumers- because when we grow together, our whole community flourishes.