About Us
Liberty Prairie (formerly Liberty Prairie Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Grayslake, Illinois with a history of over 30 years of strengthening the local food system and enhancing the natural landscape. Located halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, our work focuses on connecting people with sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship at the urban edge.
Founded in 1994, our legacy is characterized by collaboration and ingenuity. We are a component of the Liberty Prairie Reserve, a distinctive open-space sanctuary under public and private ownership. This collection of land owners shares a common goal: to preserve and restore the area’s natural and historical landscape of woodlands, wetlands, prairies, agricultural fields, and farmsteads. We play a crucial role within this patchwork collection of land owners as the only local, organic farm in the Reserve.
Liberty Prairie is located on land that was part of the traditional homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Odawa, Anishinabeg, and Potawatomi nations. Many other tribes—such as the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Meskwaki, and Menominee—also called this area home. Across the farm, we embrace the responsibility to act as conscientious stewards of this land, not just for today but for generations to come.
We act on our beliefs
Our History
Farmer Training Program
Farmer Training Program
The Farm Business Development Center (FBDC) was an incubator setting for farmers that offered affordable access to organic land. Aspiring farmers built their own farm business in a supportive environment, alongside other beginning and more experienced farmers. This program highlighted the need for creative land access programs for farmers. Farming incubator programs continue through partners like Farmers Rising.
Land Access Program
Land Access Program
Liberty Prairie's Northeastern regional FarmLink program connected farmers with land in Illinois. This program created land access opportunities for Illinois agriculture that is good for communities, for the health of families, and for the land and water of the Prairie State. The program transitioned to The Land Connection expanded statewide Illinois FarmLink providing services for both farmers and landowners.
Community Food Systems Program
Community Food Systems Program
The program worked with diverse communities of Lake County, connecting people to healthy, sustainably grown food, and supported dynamic grassroots organizations working on local food projects. Grow Lake County transitioned to the Lake County Local Food Task Force to connect people to healthy food, increase access to fresh food, and support grassroots local food organizations.
Hands-On Education Programs
Hands-On Education Programs
Prairie Farm Corps and the Learning Farm built awareness and appreciation of the land to the youth through farming, cooking, hard work, giving back, and working together. Today, the Living Laboratory, our outdoor classroom, serves the Summer Farm Camp, school districts, groups, and families.
Prairie Crossing
Prairie Crossing
Prairie Crossing is a nationally recognized master-planned conservation community. Prairie Crossing incorporates new urbanism, transit-oriented, scaled production farming, and conservation concepts, working toward connected and sustainable living. Its one of the first master-planned developments in the United States to include a working farm, and remains a flagship project for conservation and innovative stormwater practices.
Liberty Prairie Reserve
Liberty Prairie Reserve
Over 3,300 acres of natural areas and farmland on public and private lands are legally protected from development through more than 100 separate land transactions and agreements. Driven by a Master Plan, this interwoven network of healthy lands, wildlife, and people reinforces conservation in Lake County. This cooperative stewardship improves the health of the land, water, and wildlife for all.
