The Land Connection
The Land Connection is a Champaign, Illinois-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that trains farmers in sustainable practices, operates two year-round farmers markets, runs the statewide Illinois FarmLink farmland-matching program, and delivers food access initiatives serving more than 1,500 farmers and 42,000 consumers annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersChampaign, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Land Connection does
The Land Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 in Evanston, Illinois by author and food advocate Terra Brockman, now headquartered in Champaign. The organization operates a portfolio of community-based food system programs across central and statewide Illinois, organized around three pillars: farmer training, farmers markets, and food access. Its farmer training line includes workshops, field days, webinars, the Organic Grain Mentorship, and participation as a founding member of the national Farm Beginning Collaborative. The organization operates two year-round farmers markets — the Champaign Farmers Market (Tuesdays, May–October, downtown plaza) and the Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market (Saturdays, November–April, Lincoln Square Mall) — which together serve over 42,000 consumers annually. Food access initiatives include SNAP/LINK match, Universal Link Match, WIC & Senior FMNP matching, and the Kids Kits educational program, reaching more than 700 low-income households per year.
The Illinois FarmLink program is a statewide platform connecting landowners with farmers for farmland transfer and tenancy, supported by a dedicated director and two FarmLink Navigators. Complementary programs include the IDEA Farm Network (a regenerative agriculture learning community), Local Food Education resources, a Find Local Food directory, and Classifieds for farm jobs and equipment. Technical infrastructure is described as standard web-based systems for market management, event registration, and online resources; there is no proprietary technology platform, AI capability, or mobile application. Revenue is generated through charitable donations (online, mail, workplace giving, stock, QCDs from IRAs), tiered corporate sponsorships ($125 Gardener to $1,000 Harvester), small program fees (e.g., $10 per farmland webinar), and grant funding from regional partners such as Link Up Illinois, iRegen, and MTOPP. The organization employs approximately 14 named staff and is led by Executive Director Jacquelyn Evers.
The Land Connection firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Land Connection
- Legal name
- The Land Connection
- Website
- https://thelandconnection.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Land Connection is a Champaign, Illinois-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that trains farmers in sustainable practices, operates two year-round farmers markets, runs the statewide Illinois FarmLink farmland-matching program, and delivers food access initiatives serving more than 1,500 farmers and 42,000 consumers annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Land Connection industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Agricultural Education and Local Food Systems
- NAICS
- Farm Management Services (115116), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Farmland Brokerage (Row Crops, Specialty Crops) (BPAJADAA), Farm Finance, Input Procurement & Risk Tools (Budgeting, Inventory, Insurance Links) (AFAAAFAO), Carbon, Sustainability & MRV Services for Farms (Baseline, Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) (AFACACAK)
Keywords
Where The Land Connection is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Champaign
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Land Connection business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The Land Connection relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. They accept various donation methods including online, mail, workplace giving, stock donations, and Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs.
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for farmer training programs, farmers markets, and events. Sponsorships are offered at different levels (Harvester, Cultivator, Composter, Gardener) with corresponding recognition benefits.
- Program Services: Revenue from program activities including farmer training fees, workshop registrations, and specialized programs like the Organic Grain Mentorship.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Gardener sponsorship tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Composter sponsorship tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Cultivator sponsorship tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Harvester sponsorship tier |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Farmland webinar series |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Land Connection product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Land Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques, operates year-round Champaign-Urbana farmers markets, runs the statewide Illinois FarmLink farmland access program, and delivers food access initiatives (SNAP/Link Match, WIC and Senior FMNP) that increase purchasing power for low-income households. Programs also include organic grain mentorship, IDEA Farm Network regenerative agriculture learning community, Kids Kits nutrition education, and a Find Local Food directory.
Product overview
The Land Connection is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs designed to strengthen local food systems in central Illinois. The core offerings include: Farmer Training Programs providing education and support to farmers of all backgrounds; two operational farmers markets (Champaign Farmers Market and Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market); Market Benefits Programs offering SNAP/Link and WIC/Senior FMNP matching to increase food access; Illinois FarmLink connecting landowners with farmers; Kids Kits providing educational cooking materials for children; Local Food Education resources including recipes and seasonal crop guides; a Resources library of publications and webinars; IDEA Farm Network for regenerative agriculture learning; Assistance Programs including grants and mentorship; and a Find Local Food directory. These programs work together to train farmers, expand food access, and build community connections between consumers and local food producers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Illinois FarmLink: A statewide program designed to help maintain family farms and keep rural communities vibrant by connecting landowners with farmers and farmland seekers.
- IDEA Farm Network
Products and services
- Farmer Training Programs Comprehensive training and support for aspiring, new, and experienced farmers, including cottage food and value-added producers, local food entrepreneurs, market managers, processors, buyers, and distributors. Education covers farm business planning, risk assessment, marketing, and regenerative agricultural methods.
- Champaign Farmers Market Year-round farmers market held every Tuesday from May through October, 3:00-6:00 p.m. in downtown Champaign plaza. Offers meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables, fruit, baked goods, flowers, and more from vendors within 150 miles.
- Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market Year-round winter farmers market held Saturdays from November through April, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, inside Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, serving the community during cold-weather months.
- Market Benefits Programs (SNAP/Link, WIC & Senior FMNP) Food access programs that increase purchasing power for low-income households through SNAP/Link Match, Universal Link Match, Winter Token Match, and WIC & Senior FMNP Match at farmers markets in Illinois.
- Illinois FarmLink Statewide program connecting landowners with farmers for farmland transfer or tenancy. Helps maintain family farms and rural communities through resources, events, and dedicated professionals.
- Kids Kits Free monthly program providing kid-friendly recipes with all ingredients to make healthy snacks featuring local ingredients. Available at Champaign Farmers Market (May-October) and Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market (November-April).
- Assistance Programs Grant and mentorship programs including Agricultural Professional Development Grant for historically underserved farmers (BIPOC, LGBTQ+), Organic Grain Mentorship, and Farm Food Safety Assistance.
- Find Local Food Directory Interactive map directory connecting buyers with local and specialty suppliers, farmers with new markets, and consumers with goods and services in Illinois.
- IDEA Farm Network Learning community creating a safe space for farmers, scientists, advocates, food entrepreneurs, and consumers to share diverse experiences and information advancing regenerative agriculture. Includes listserv discussions, field days, and YouTube educational content.
- Classifieds Free listing service for farms and food businesses to post job openings and equipment for sale, helping connect employers with workers and buyers with sellers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Engages over 1,500 farmers and food entrepreneurs annually with training programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Land Connection
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Land Connection technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Land Connection partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Illinois Farm BureaucoreProgram sponsor and partner on Start Local recipe series. Voluntary membership organization working to improve economic well-being of agriculture.
- Farm Beginning CollaborativecoreNational collaborative founded in 2009 that supports farmer training programs across the United States. The Land Connection was a founding member.
- Agricultural Grain Collaborative (AGC)minorPartner organization supporting local grain value chains and farmer training.
- Buy Fresh Buy Local IllinoisminorPartner organization promoting local food purchasing in Illinois.
- IDEA Farm NetworkcoreLearning community for farmers, scientists, and advocates focused on regenerative agriculture. Co-funded by The Land Connection.
- Midwest Grazing ExchangeminorPartner supporting grazing and livestock integration into farming operations.
- Routes to FarmminorPartner network supporting farmer training and local food systems.
- OATS (Organic Agronomy Training System)minorPartner supporting organic agronomy training and education.
- Link Up Illinois (Experimental Station)coreFunding provider for Universal Link Match program that doubles SNAP benefits at farmers markets across Illinois.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Land Connection competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Practical Farmers of Iowa: Iowa-based nonprofit offering farmer training, field days, conferences, and on-farm research with a sustainability and regenerative agriculture focus. Highly comparable in mission, programming (farmer training, conferences, peer networks), and donor/sponsor-driven nonprofit model serving the Midwest.
- Marbleseed (formerly MOSES): Upper Midwest nonprofit delivering organic farmer training, the annual Organic Farming Conference, and farmer-to-farmer mentorship. Directly comparable in training programs, conference offerings (e.g., Organic Grain Conference parallels Marbleseed's organic conference), and educational content libraries.
- Angelic Organics Learning Center: Northern Illinois nonprofit providing farmer training, on-farm education, and urban agriculture programs. Comparable as a regional peer offering farmer training, community food systems work, and farm-based education within the upper Midwest.
- Liberty Prairie Foundation: Northeast Illinois nonprofit that previously operated a FarmLink program and supports sustainable agriculture, land access, and conservation. Comparable as a Midwest FarmLink program operator and predecessor employer of The Land Connection's FarmLink Director.
- New Entry Sustainable Farming Project: Massachusetts-based nonprofit that trains beginning farmers and connects them to land, markets, and food access programs. Comparable in mission and integrated training-plus-food-access model, but serves the Northeast rather than the Midwest.
- Georgia Organics: Statewide Georgia nonprofit focused on organic and sustainable agriculture, farmer services, and Good Food programming. Comparable in farmer training, conferences, food access advocacy, and state-level nonprofit structure, but regionally focused on the Southeast.
- FamilyFarmed: Illinois-based nonprofit supporting local food systems, farmer training, and wholesale market development. Comparable as an in-state Illinois peer promoting local food economies, farmer training, and food access initiatives.
Broad incumbents
- National Young Farmers Coalition: National nonprofit advocating for and supporting young and beginning farmers through chapters, policy, and land access programs. Comparable in serving beginning farmers and operating land access initiatives, but at a much larger national scale.
Emerging players
- Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service: Historical Midwest organic agriculture education organization that the company has recognized through its farmer of the year awards. Tangentially comparable as a regional organic farmer training and education peer whose former programs now operate under Marbleseed.
Others
- Experimental Station (Link Up Illinois): Chicago-based nonprofit that operates Link Up Illinois, the funder of Universal Link Match at The Land Connection's markets. A direct partner and adjacent ecosystem player in Illinois food access and SNAP doubling programs.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Land Connection social profiles
Digital presenceThe Land Connection financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Land Connection leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
The Land Connection funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Land Connection M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Land Connection
What does The Land Connection do?
The Land Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques, operates year-round Champaign-Urbana farmers markets, runs the statewide Illinois FarmLink farmland access program, and delivers food access initiatives (SNAP/Link Match, WIC and Senior FMNP) that increase purchasing power for low-income households. Programs also include organic grain mentorship, IDEA Farm Network regenerative agriculture learning community, Kids Kits nutrition education, and a Find Local Food directory.
Is The Land Connection a public or private company?
The Land Connection is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Land Connection founded?
The Land Connection was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Land Connection based?
The Land Connection is headquartered in Champaign, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Land Connection make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are sponsorships and program Services.
Who are The Land Connection's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Practical Farmers of Iowa, Marbleseed (formerly MOSES), Angelic Organics Learning Center, Liberty Prairie Foundation, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, Georgia Organics and FamilyFarmed. National Young Farmers Coalition is listed as a broad incumbent. Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service is listed as an emerging player. Experimental Station (Link Up Illinois) is listed as an others.
Does The Land Connection have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Land Connection.
What industry is The Land Connection in?
The Land Connection's product category is Nonprofit Agricultural Education and Local Food Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFACABAL, Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory), with a secondary code of BPAJADAA, Farmland Brokerage (Row Crops, Specialty Crops). Its NAICS code is 115116 and its SIC code is 700.