Farm Bureau Provides Comments in Support of Wagner Farm
As the Glenview Park District considers the Wagner Farm Master Plan, Cook County Farm Bureau sent the following letter in support of the farm and the dairy operations at the farm:
In a county once dotted by farmers and the black and white façade of dairy cattle, Historic Wagner Farm is now the last working dairy farm in Cook County. The 18.6-acre farm not only boosts a working dairy operation but also provides urban families with a connection to local agriculture that would not exist without this unique aspect of the Glenview Park District.
The farm offers families from throughout the area the opportunity to experience a living history museum, animal interactions, interactive exhibits, farm stand, hands-on activities, ice cream shop, and fresh produce sold onsite and through community supported agriculture (CSA).
Cook County Farm Bureau®, through our Agriculture in the Classroom program, routinely partners with Wagner Farm to offer irreplaceable educational opportunities, promote agricultural literacy, and foster meaningful connections between urban and rural communities. Students and families benefit from this tremendous relationship.
As the Glenview Park District prepares to review the Wagner Farm Master Plan, we wanted to communicate our strong support for the plan and for the continuation and expansion of dairy operations at the farm.
Recent concerns raised by animal rights activists do not reflect the values or practices upheld at Wagner Farm. The staff and caretakers at the farm demonstrate a consistent commitment to humane animal treatment, responsible farming practices, and transparency. The animals are cared for under professional oversight, following best practices for health, nutrition, and welfare. These operations also comply with local, state, and federal standards for livestock care.
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.
While it is essential to listen to and consider public concerns, the solution should not be to eliminate educational livestock programs, but rather to continue to operate them with openness, responsibility, and care. Discontinuing dairy operations would be a significant loss to the region’s agricultural heritage and public understanding of food systems.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. We urge you to maintain and increase the dairy operations at Wagner Farm as a vital resource for education, connection, and community enrichment.
As the county’s largest general 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.
Wagner Farm’s Master Plan was approved in August. Farm Bureau leadership provided testimony in support of the farm and plan during the meeting.