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Upper Midwest Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led training alliance organized by alternative agriculture farmers in the Stateline region: northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and Chicagoland. We welcome all levels of experience, whether you’ve never farmed before, you seek advanced training, or you’re transitioning to sustainable agriculture.
Upper Midwest CRAFT is built on the practice of farmer-to-farmer training where shared farmer experiences, wisdom, methodology, discussion, and place-based knowledge strengthen the community of regional growers at any and all levels of skill and experience. Scholarships are available | US Military Veterans receive FREE membership |
CRAFT+ $50
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Basic $20NEW for 2023:
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*For members who complete the Upper Midwest CRAFT member profile.
Frequently asked questions
Who can join Upper Midwest CRAFT?
CRAFT is not just for aspiring and active farmers. Anyone can participant and support regional farmer training!
When can I join?
Membership can be purchased at any time of year, but ends Dec 31st each year. Annual renewal required.
Financial assistance?
EVents
Learn from Stateline farmers and network with peers! Join in on a variety of field days, workshops, and virtual events throughout the year with topics focusing on the core themes of soils, plants, animals, and people. UM CRAFT events provide prospective and current farmers exposure to the diversity of farms in the region that balances:
Check out past topics!
- Larger and smaller farms
- Organic, biodynamic and sustainable farms
- New and continuing Upper Midwest CRAFT member farms
- Farms throughout our geographic region
Check out past topics!
More about CRAFT
History
The first CRAFT program was founded in Hudson Valley, New York in 1995. In 1997, ten farmers from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin founded the second program in the United States - Upper Midwest CRAFT. Since then, the alliance has become one of the leading efforts to train the next generation of alternative agriculture practitioners: organic, biodynamic, silvopasture, regenerative, permaculture, no-dig/no-till, and conservationist farmers. Graduates, who now lead dozens of new local farms, are trained by some of the most accomplished farmers in the Midwest. More than 85 sustainable farms in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin belong to the Upper Midwest CRAFT. Coordination is provided by Angelic Organics Learning Center.
CRAFT Outside of the Stateline Region
Membership
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Events
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Stateline Farm Directory
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Upper Midwest CRAFT is supported by the
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
under award number 2019-49400-30072.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
under award number 2019-49400-30072.
