Chicago Wilderness Alliance Cafe: We convene and present a discussion about land resource management and agri-food business models in relation to climate-wise solutions to check 20th century growth patterns on the outskirts of metropolitan Chicago. The focus is on Will County. Located south of Cook and DuPage Counties, Will County is on course to lose more farmland by 2040 than any other U.S. county besides Maricopa County in Arizona (2022 American Farmland Trust.) Discussion will center on partnerships, trends, models, and market opportunities to put Will County agriculture on equal footing with other forms of economic development in the face of a changing climate.

Ted Haffner, CWA Taking Climate Action Initiative Lead
Bob Heuer, Director, HNA Networks
Judy Ogalla, Will County Board Chair
Maria Abney, Financial Advisor, Owner-Operator of Farmland Fabrication, and Immediate Past President of Monee Chamber of Commerce