Spring Forward: A Season of Impact with AFT's Midwest Team

The Midwest begins to thaw, hinting at the next growing season, and the American Farmland Trust Midwest team is out in the field listening, learning, and educating. From late winter to early spring, our staff meets with farmers, landowners, and partners across the Midwest to dig into the topics that matter most—protecting our farmland, keeping farmers on the land, and promoting sound agriculture practices. Here’s a look at where we’ve been and at what’s coming up in Spring 2026.

Promoting Sound Agriculture Practices

Dollar and Sense in the Lake Decatur Watershed | Jan. 29, 2026 | Decatur, IL
At the end of January, AFT's Midwest team hosted an educational event for farmers and conservation partners titled Dollars and Sense in the Lake Decatur Watershed in Illinois. The event covered topics from successes of the local Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), to recordkeeping strategies for farmers, an overview of edge-of-field practices and opportunities, and ended with an educational farmer panel on the local strategies and effectiveness of conservation practices in the field and on the recordkeeping books.

The key highlight of the event was the RCPP, a program that provides substantial cost-share and technical assistance to landowners and growers for certain practices aimed at reducing sediment and nutrient losses to the lake. We extend our gratitude to the Lake Decatur Watershed partners, the hardworking growers who are prioritizing conservation on the farm, and all others involved in the project.

Keeping Farmers on the Land

Micro-grants Transforming Urban Farming | Feb. 2026 | Kansas City, MO
At Cultivate KC's Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting, we debuted a new video telling the stories of three farmers supported by our partnership. With financial support from American Farmland Trust to Cultivate KC’s Get Farming Mini Grants program, farmers like Sandra Machin (Maple Creek Urban Farm), Robin Moore (MyCo Planet), and Nancy Kost (The Buffalo Seed Company) are growing food, opportunity, and community. Watch the inspiring video below:

Protecting Farmland

Your Land is Your Legacy | Feb. 24, 2026 | West Lafayette, IN
We partnered with Geswein Farm & Land Realty and Purdue Extension for a workshop aimed at demystifying the farm transition process. Held at the Beck Agricultural Center, the event brought together multiple generations—family and non-family alike—to discuss the tools and conversations needed to pass land from one steward to the next.

Save the Date: Upcoming Midwest Events

We hope you'll join us for these upcoming opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.

• Growing Resilience: Risk Management for Specialty Crop Producers | March 27, 2026 | Sugar Grove, IL
  Learn about tools to manage risk on your farm. Register Here

• Rooted in Resilience: Learning Circle | April 24, 2026 | Wonder Lake, IL
  Hosted by Jennifer Victora-Cuomo of Wonder Farm Earth. For women & non-binary farmers. Register Here

• Rooted in Resilience: Learning Circle | May 29, 2026 | Illinois (Location TBD)
  Hosted by Danie and Fresh Roberson of Fresher Together. For women & nonbinary farmers. Register Here

Stay Connected

This work is only possible because of engaged communities like you. To get updates on future events, resources, and news from AFT's Midwest team straight to your inbox, be sure to sign up on our Midwest Newsletter.