Farmers Rising Hits 2026 in Full Stride with Classes and More

Plans Include a Mobile Grocery Initative to Improve Food Access in Rockford

Farmers Rising — the dynamic farmer education non-profit based in Caledonia in north-central Illinois — always keeps a full agenda. But they are hitting the ground running especially hard in the new year, with a major new food access initative and busy roster of farmer and consumer classes.

First, the organization's big news: It is expanding its efforts to providing people who face food insecurity with more access to healthy and sustainably produced food through its new Mobile Grocery Initiative. The program is similar to other mobile markets across the nation — including Fresh Moves' buses operated by Chicago's Urban Growers Collective — that use converted vehicles as grocery stores on wheels.

The program follows upon Farmers Rising's role as a lead non-profit agency for the IL-Eats program, created under the Biden administration, which provided funds for small farms to expand their operations to produce food for clients of food banks around Illinois. Though this innovative programs had largely succeeded in its efforts to help farmers and those facing food insecurity, it was abruptly terminated last year early in the Trump administration.

Here is how Farmers Rising described its new program in a newsletter:

The defunded IL EATS program and recent SNAP crisis [during the long federal government shutdown in late 2025] underscores what we already know: too many people in our community lack access to nutritious food.

That’s why, as we move into 2026, Farmers Rising is expanding our food access work in Rockford, Illinois in the form of a brand new Mobile Grocery Initiative. 

The Mobile Grocery will address food insecurity by providing easy access to affordable groceries within underserved neighborhoods in Rockford.

This partnership effort is a collaboration between Farmers Rising, City Center Market, and the multi-agency Food Insecurity Taskforce.

In the New Year, we’ll quickly begin implementing a publicity and fundraising campaign, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to fresh and locally grown food to residents in low-access neighborhoods. 

We hope you follow along and support this important work. 

In addition to its mobile markets announcement, Farmers Rising has scheduled a number of events for January.

• Tuesday, January 13 (Online): Farmers Rising launches its "Take Root: A Farm Business Class," which will be held remotely every Tuesday and Thursday night through June 6. "Join us for an all inclusive farm business class! This class is intended for beginner farmers with 0-5 years experience. Hurry, spots are limited! Currently offering FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to anyone who wants to take the course!" .... Click to register

  
  

• Thursday, January 17: Winter Hearth and Harvest Couples Cooking Class (Live) — "Settle into the season with comforting, rustic dishes that feel like they came straight from a French countryside kitchen. You and your partner will craft rich pâté, master a silky warm vichyssoise, and roast chicken to crisp perfection under Chef Andy’s guidance. The night finishes with a decadent bourbon-kissed bread pudding. A perfect way to start the year with warmth, flavor, and togetherness." .... Click to register

• Friday, January 23: Vegetarian Cooking Class (Live) — "Discover how satisfying and flavorful vegetarian dishes can be in this hands-on daytime workshop.

  This class is perfect for vegetarians, veggie-curious cooks, or anyone who wants to explore fresh, seasonal plant-forward cuisine." .... Click to register

• Friday, January 30: Beginner Bread Baking (Live) — "Perfect for first-time bakers or anyone seeking a solid foundation, this introductory class breaks down the fundamentals of bread making in a friendly, approachable way. Learn about different flour types, where to source them, and why they matter. Then roll up your sleeves as you mix, knead, and shape an incredibly versatile dough that can be used for countless recipes at home." .... Click to register

LEARN MORE ABOUT FARMERS RISING

---

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL FOOD FORUM