Illinois Family Farm Awareness Rises to 43%
Illinois residents are growing more familiar with family farms, though many still underestimate how many are family owned.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Organic Food
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Familiarity with the Illinois Farm Families coalition rose from 33% in 2021 to 43% in a new survey, according to the Illinois Farm Bureau. Respondents also estimated the share of Illinois farms that are family owned at 50.1%, up from 47% in 2021, while the coalition says the actual share is 96%.
Why it matters
The survey tracks how Illinois residents perceive the state's farm ownership, a question that shapes public understanding of where their food comes from. The coalition's outreach aims to correct the gap between perceived and actual family farm ownership.
The Illinois Farm Bureau repeated a consumer survey first conducted in 2021 to measure public familiarity with Illinois Farm Families and perceived farm ownership. The comparison against the 96% actual family-owned figure is based on the coalition's own characterization of farm ownership.
The players
Illinois Farm Bureau
The Illinois Farm Bureau is a major state agricultural advocacy organization that reported the new survey results.
Illinois Farm Families
Illinois Farm Families is a coalition of six agricultural organizations that runs consumer outreach about Illinois agriculture.
The details
The Illinois Farm Families coalition, made up of six agricultural organizations, ran targeted consumer outreach aimed at educating the public about farming. Its campaign, titled "We are the 96," centers on the claim that 96% of Illinois farms are family owned. The survey measured how far that message has reached and how accurately residents estimate farm ownership.
Timeline
2021: The first consumer survey on Illinois Farm Families familiarity was conducted.
2026: The survey was repeated, showing current familiarity and perception results.
Health Landscape
Public understanding of where food comes from is a growing focus of agricultural outreach in the state. This survey follows a 2021 baseline, offering a measurable comparison of how consumer perception of farm ownership is changing over time.
Understanding where your food comes from can inform the choices you make at the grocery store and farmers markets. If you are interested in local agriculture, the survey results suggest that many Illinois residents are still building familiarity with the farms that supply them.
The takeaway
Consumer awareness of how farms are owned and operated is rising in Illinois, though perceptions still differ from reported figures. Readers interested in where their food comes from can look for local labels and ask farmers directly about their operations.
Further reading
For more on how food is grown and labeled, explore our Organic Food coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brownfield Ag News.
Live Poll
Do you trust farmers more when you know family farms own most land?
