Curbside Consulting

Schedule Consulting Services

2026 Curbside Consultants

Curbside Consulting offers 30-minute one-on-one technical assistant sessions throughout the conference, providing free expert advice on topics like business planning, lending, SNAP/WIC retailer registration, federal programs including EQIP, farm loans, farm numbers, social media, website development, grant management, marketing, HR, and more for small business development.

Curbside consulting hours are 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on Friday.

Schedule Consulting Services

Meet the Consultants

  • Services: Regenerative and Organic Crops and Livestock

    Bio: Dave Bishop and his family own and operate PrairiErth Farm, a 450-acre diversified farm in central Illinois. They produce corn, soybeans, small grains and a variety of livestock. The farm has been certified organic since 2004.

    The farm’s mix of livestock and crops is the foundation of its sustainable system. Dave’s extended crop rotation includes grazing time for livestock on row crop fields to build organic matter in the soil, provide balanced fertility for future crops, and increase the income- producing capacity of each acre.

    The Bishops’ farming practices have garnered numerous awards: They are the 2017 Marbleseed Organic Farmers of the Year, and recipients of the 2018 RJ Vollmer Award for Sustainable Agriculture from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In 2019, PrairiErth Farm was one of seven US farms recognized by “Good Food 100” Restaurants and the James Beard Foundation for their dedication to sustainability, transparency, and advancing good food.

  • Services: Primary service is help with planning events that fit within business/organization goals - from brainstorming ideas and setting event goals to helping with event implementation tactics. Secondary is helping identify strategies for promoting events, identifying sponsors that align with event goals, etc.

    Bio: Dr. Niki Davis is an accomplished educator with a professional background in marketing and event planning. As a professor of practice in the Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management program at Southern Illinois University, she has spent more than 20 years teaching courses in event management, tourism and destination marketing, and integrated marketing strategies. 

    Niki launched her career in media and marketing, quickly moving into event planning where she played a key role in organizing a wide range of events—from grassroots community gatherings to international conferences. Her hands-on knowledge of strategic communication, branding, and event logistics directly informs her teaching, allowing students to learn industry standards in real-time and through real-world examples.

    While her core expertise lies in marketing and events, Niki is also a passionate supporter of the tourism industry. Her work often highlights the intersection of tourism, food heritage, and cultural experiences. She served as President of the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) from 2013 to 2019 and maintains active membership in the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP), World Food Travel Association, and the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM).

    In her professional and academic work, Niki emphasizes the importance of storytelling, place branding, and community engagement—skills that are essential for successful destination marketing and culinary tourism promotion.

  • Services: Bookkeeping services, investment strategy education, cash flow and liquidity management, bank account management, payables and receivables optimization, and financial statement education.

    Bio: I help businesses gain clarity in their finances and confidence in their decisions. Many small businesses cannot afford a full-time CFO or Treasurer, but understanding their financial health is still essential. That’s where I step in. My mission is to empower small businesses by providing deep insights into their financial picture and making financial information more accessible and understandable.

    With over 17 years of professional experience across various industries, I have supported organizations of all sizes, from small nonprofits to global institutions. But my journey goes beyond numbers - it’s about fostering strong partnerships, resilience, and a belief that finances do not need to feel complicated.

    I launched my career in high school, working part-time in market research at Caterpillar, Inc. before taking on a logistics role while earning my B.A. in International Business at Bradley University. After graduating magna cum laude, I became a Financial Analyst at Clover Imaging Group, supporting M&A and FP&A functions. Later, at Société Générale, I managed cash and collateral operations, foreign currency, and treasury functions in a high-paced global environment.

    In 2017, I joined Illinois Farm Bureau and COUNTRY Financial, progressing from Treasury Manager to Director of Treasury Operations and Shared Services. Over eight years, I led cross-functional teams, managed banking relationships, oversaw liquidity and credit facilities, and advised 93 county Farm Bureaus on financial strategy.

    I earned my Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) credential in 2018 and, while working full-time, pursued a B.S. in Accounting from Southern Illinois University to qualify for the CPA exam. I passed all exam sections and now maintain a CPA license in Illinois.

    I established Falconer Financial Consulting to bridge the gap between high-level corporate finance and the organizations that need it most—small businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders striving for financial clarity. Whether you’re struggling with cash flow, need a better handle on your books, or want to build a more sustainable strategy for growth, I’m here to help you move forward—with strategy, not stress.

     


  • Services: Cook County Farm Bureau offers hands-on consulting to help Cook County growers and urban farmers navigate local government processes. Whether you need guidance on farm assessments, zoning, water access, or more our team is here to make it easier to operate and grow your business. We can connect you with the right resources, help you understand local regulations, and work alongside you to keep agriculture thriving in our communities.

    Bio: Bona Heinsohn, CAE serves as the Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Relations for the Cook County Farm Bureau®.  She also serves as the organization’s local government lobbyist.  In addition, she directs the organization’s policy generating process, serves as Assistant Treasurer for the Cook County Farm Bureau® Political Action Committee, and directs the organization’s public outreach activities and events. 

    Prior to joining the Farm Bureau, she worked as a Communications and Public Affairs Specialist as well as a Legislative Analyst with the Illinois Senate Republican Staff and a Campaign Manager for the Republican State Senate Campaign Committee. 

    Heinsohn received a M.A. in Political Studies from the University of Illinois and a B.S. in Agriculture from Illinois State University.  In 2018, she was named a Certified Association Executive (CAE), the highest credential available for an association professional. 

    Heinsohn is a graduate of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation, an executive level leadership program for agricultural professionals.  She currently serves as a Co-Captain for the Stateline Hotshots Rodeo Drill Team and is the immediate past President of the Stateline Area Equine Association.

    She is a former City of Harvard Alderman and the past President of McHenry County Conservation District Board of Trustees.  In addition, she formerly served as Government Day Co-Chair for Leadership Greater McHenry County Curriculum Committee; Secretary for the Harvard Education Recreational Softball program; and was a member of both the Harvard Parks Board and the Delos Diggins Public Library Board. 

    Heinsohn and her husband, Jeff, are grain farmers in northern Illinois.  They have two children.     

  • Services:

    Strategic Planning & Organizational: Development Mission and vision alignment Board and leadership development Multi-year strategic plans Succession and transition planning

    Revenue Diversification & Financial: Sustainability Earned income strategies Sponsorship and partnership development Membership and subscription models Grant research and proposal guidance

    Marketing & Communications: Brand development and messaging Marketing audits and action plans Social media strategy and training Website and content development

    Community & Stakeholder: Engagement Community needs assessments Public input and facilitation sessions Volunteer recruitment and management strategies Stakeholder communications plans

    Business & Program Development: Business plan creation and refinement Product and service launch planning Customer journey mapping Pricing strategies and profitability analysis

    Capacity Building & Training: Workshops and training for boards, staff, or volunteers Customized toolkits and templates Process improvement and workflow design Change management support

    Specialized Support: Downtown and Main Street revitalization planning Agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales strategies Event and festival planning guidance Economic development strategies for municipalities and chambers

    Bio: Danielle Jacobs is a seasoned consultant dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations, producers, local governments, and entrepreneurs build sustainable, resilient operations. With over 15 years of experience spanning nonprofit leadership, economic development, marketing, and small business coaching, Danielle brings a practical, collaborative approach to every engagement. Her work focuses on strengthening organizational capacity, diversifying revenue streams, developing effective marketing strategies, and designing community-centered initiatives. Danielle has partnered with nonprofits to increase funding, guided farmers in expanding their direct-to-consumer sales, supported municipalities in revitalizing downtown districts, and helped small businesses navigate growth and change. Danielle’s expertise includes: Revenue diversification and earned income development Marketing and brand strategy Community and stakeholder event planning Grant writing and resource development Program design and evaluation She believes in meeting clients where they are, helping them define clear priorities, and translating ideas into actionable plans that fit their values and capacity. Whether advising a rural farm on new market opportunities or helping a city strengthen its economic ecosystem, Danielle’s goal is always to empower clients with the tools and confidence to thrive. Let’s work together to build stronger communities, more resilient organizations, and thriving local economies.

  • Services: Business plans, sales, marketing, technology, websites, research, e-commerce, logistics, grants, networking, program development, curriculum design, instruction, facilitation, public-private partnerships, economic development, fundraisers, project management, coalition building, advocacy, public affairs, speech writing, policy analysis, data visualization

    Bio: Ellen Kamps has an MPA from UC Berkeley & and an in-progress MS in Sustainable Food Systems from Arizona State University (2026). Through her academic work as a USDA NextGen Scholar she studies peri-urban and rural economic development. She co-owned and operated a certified organic fruit & vegetable farm in Illinois from 2013 – 2018, before moving into agriculture education, policy, advocacy, and program design.

  • Services: farm planning, financial strategies, landscape design, floral design, foraging, cooking with fresh vegetables and fruits, and pest and diseases of plants.

    Bio: Amanda Krabbe / Spears is a lifelong educator with over 20 years of experience inspiring students in agriculture, horticulture, and family and consumer sciences. She recently taught at Danville High School, where she worked with nearly 200 students each year in culinary arts, human development, and adult living — all while laying the groundwork for a future agriculture program at the school.

    Before that, Amanda spent more than 18 years as a Professor of Horticulture at Danville Area Community College. During that time, she created hands-on, engaging courses that brought learning to life — from sustainability and local foods to farm-to-fork, landscape design, and horticulture therapy. Her classes often took students outside the classroom, teaching them to forage, grow, prepare, and market their own products while building real-world skills and confidence.

    Amanda also led several major projects that shaped the DACC horticulture program, including designing and managing the college’s sustainability garden, helping secure funding for a state-of-the-art greenhouse, and earning grants to support hydroponics systems, irrigation projects, and student-built ponds.

    She’s always been passionate about community connection — giving presentations for local organizations, schools, and the University of Illinois Extension, and developing partnerships that connect education with meaningful, practical experiences.

    Now, Amanda has returned to her roots on the farm and is pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership. She’s as dedicated as ever to helping students and communities discover the value of agriculture, sustainability, and lifelong learning through creative, hands-on education that leaves a lasting impression.

  • Services: strategic planning; food systems assessments; resilience and disaster preparedness and mitigation

    Bio: Courtney Long, PhD, is the Director of the Agricultural and Marketing Resource Center, and Manager of the Food Systems program at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. 

    Courtney has worked in food systems since 2010. She seeks to understand the intersectionality of community, food systems, and resilience. With projects and research ranging from scenario planning for preparedness for future disasters, resilient food systems assessments, and place-making through food system development. Much of her work connects to community and organizational assessment and facilitation to understand the underlying aspects of values and purpose in relation to resilience and food system intersections. Long’s research and programming cuts across areas of resilient food systems and impacts from COVID and natural disasters. Specific emphasis has included understanding place-based community capacity for responding to disasters; population support for local farm and food businesses; and Land Grant Universities’ roles in supporting efforts for resilient food systems.

     

  • Services:

    Brand Strategy & Storytelling: Clarifying brand identity, mission, and messaging for farms, markets, and small food businesses.

    Marketing & Communications: Planning: Practical frameworks for content calendars, social media growth, newsletters, and local press outreach.

    Partnership & Sponsorship Development: How to attract aligned partners and sponsors without compromising values.

    Editorial & Content Development: Turning your story into compelling copy—from website and social media language to grant narratives and campaign materials.

    Event & Campaign Strategy: Guidance for hosting or promoting markets, farm dinners, or educational events that connect with your audience authentically.

    My approach is collaborative, creative, and rooted in years of hands-on experience across local food systems, community publishing, and large-scale brand management. Whether you’re a farmer looking to improve your digital presence, a market manager seeking new sponsors, or a nonprofit refining its storytelling, these sessions will offer both strategic perspective and actionable next steps.

    Bio: Megan Marshall (she/hers) is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Edible Chicago, part of the national Edible Communities network of more than 80 independently owned publications. Since relaunching the magazine in 2023, she has sharpened its focus on the makers, producers, and innovators shaping Chicago’s food system—expanding readership, cultivating partnerships, and strengthening ties across the city’s culinary and agricultural landscape.

    With more than a decade of experience spanning marketing, large-scale event production, and nonprofit leadership, Megan brings a uniquely cross-disciplinary approach to her work. She previously served as Director of Operations at Green City Market and as Festival Director at the Chicago Tribune, where she launched the inaugural FOOD BOWL festival. She has also held senior roles at Edelman and through her own consultancy, Spritz Agency, leading integrated campaigns for global brands and cultural organizations.

    Megan earned her M.A. in Food Studies from New York University and her B.A. in American Social Movements from Indiana University. A self-described “professional non-conformist,” she is passionate about strengthening local food systems, advancing equity in food and farming, and honoring the connections that food makes possible.

  • Services: Business Planning for farmers and food businesses

    Bio: Sean Park is currently a Program director for the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University.  As Director of the Value-Added Sustainable Development Center, he works with rural communities to develop sustainable business models that address community needs.  Sean has worked as an Economic Development Director, an SBDC Advisor, and the owner/operator of a grocery store in rural Illinois for 10 years. He currently leads the technical assistance for the Illinois Grocery Initiative, a state program providing grants for grocery startups in food deserts.

  • Services: Got a project idea, marketing question, or funding puzzle? Stephanie Rhodes, founder of Bloomin’ Communications LLC, is here to help! She’s a project planner, storyteller, and grant writer who works with farmers, agritourism operators, and community groups to grow ideas from seed to success. With years of experience in corporate marketing, rural business development, and teaching destination marketing at SIU, Stephanie is ready to share quick, practical tips during free curbside consulting between sessions—no appointment needed, just bring your ideas! Prepare for brainstorming - promotions, events, collaborations, resource partners - and sorting through it all, exploring opportunities for new projects and promotions and help with a plan.

    Bio: Stephanie Rhodes blends corporate marketing savvy with a passion for strengthening rural communities. After beginning her career in marketing communications and trade show management in Atlanta, Georgia, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she worked extensively in rural business development, marketing, and organizational leadership in southern Illinois.

    Today, Stephanie is the founder of Bloomin’ Communications LLC, where she serves as a freelance project planner, storyteller, and grant writer for farmers, agritourism operators, and community organizations. She brings both strategy and creativity to her clients—helping them grow their businesses, tell their stories, and plan for bringing their ideas to life.

    Now in her fourth year as a college instructor at Southern Illinois University, Stephanie teaches destination marketing and management and event management, bringing her own professional experiences into the classroom to spark connection and practical learning.

    Her work has included serving as content coordinator and contributor for Food, Fun & Folks: A little magazine about big travel opportunities, funded by the Specialty Crop Block Grant, as well as coordinating its companion program delivering local food and specialty crop education to youth, moms, and seniors across southern Illinois.

    Stephanie holds a degree in Agricultural Communications from the University of Illinois and was named one of Southern Illinois’ Leaders Among Us in 2019. At the Local Foods Conference, she’ll be offering free curbside consulting—sharing ideas, brainstorming, answering questions, and helping you plant the seeds for your next great project.

  • Services: Direct marketing, Farm website, Agritourism

    Bio: Rosie Trump has been the driver behind bringing her family’s farm products and experiences to life. Using her professional background in marketing, she has put her farm on the map and built a direct-to-consumer business that serves hundreds of local customers each year. Beyond their farm store, Rosie has built agritourism experiences from the ground up in order to diversify farm income and serve her community beyond growing food they can eat.

    If you are interested in getting started with direct sales, wondering if you need to build a farm website, or are curious what hurdles you might face when creating an agritourism experience, Rosie can help you get a jumpstart on your goals!

  • Services: Reframing Agritourism: From “Business” to Community Asset.

    When farmers say “agritourism,” towns often hear something very different and rush to shut it down. Similarly, when you position your farm as a “business,” some communities immediately brace for profit-driven development. The truth is that many small farms are the opposite: seasonal and rooted in education, stewardship, and heritage. I help farmers and small organizations reframe their identity so decision-makers and neighbors see the full value. We’ll pinpoint the red-flag words that trigger opposition, replace them with language that signals alignment with local values, and develop messaging that positions your farm as a community asset rather than a commercial threat. Attendees will walk away with: A guide to the language pitfalls that spark zoning resistance. Reframing strategies that highlight heritage, education, sustainability, and preservation of open space. Messaging tools to position your farm or project as a natural fit for your community’s values A framework for presenting proposals that lower defenses and invite support. Attendees who want guidance on zoning and identity framing are encouraged to bring: A copy of their draft proposal, business plan, or program description Their local zoning code section(s) related to agriculture, agritourism, or special uses Notes on objections or pushback they’ve already heard (if any)

    Bio: Chris Yamamoto co-runs Little Ducky Flower Farm in Barrington Hills, Illinois, where a diverse mix of flowers are grown on a third of an acre. With a background in engineering and firsthand experience navigating zoning and community pushback, Chris helps farms and nonprofits reframe their identity as community assets rooted in heritage, education, and stewardship.


  • Services: Consulting to sell into the institutional market. Assistance to locate institutional buyers. Assistance with developing introductory information to share with buyers.

    Bio: Diane’s career in food service spanned thirty-two years. She committed the last fifteen to school nutrition, working in Wisconsin school districts. Diane developed successful and prosperous farm to school programs, building relationships with Wisconsin farmers and processors. During that time, she formed the Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Farm to School Initiative, which assisted over sixty school districts working to create sustainable farm to school programs.

    Later, Diane acted as the first Operations Manager for the newly created Fifth Season Cooperative, in Viroqua, WI. She built the six-member class co-op from the ground up, aggregating product from twenty-eight individual farms, three farm co-ops (totaling two-hundred farms) and thirteen processor members. Utilizing returning trucks and existing distribution routes with distribution member Reinhart Foodservice, and later Sysco Foods, the co-op successfully moves Wisconsin foods to Wisconsin institutions and restaurants.

    Diane now manages programming for the Illinois Farm to School Network. She educates and trains school food service staff expanding farm to school participation in Illinois, her home state. She firmly believes that kids of all ages can learn to truly enjoy fresh vegetables with education and a side of fun.


  • Services: Farm finances, farm lending, farm transfer planning

    Bio: Paul Dietmann is Senior Focused Lending Specialist at Compeer Financial, a member-owned Farm Credit System cooperative in the upper Midwest.  He co-leads Compeer’s Emerging Markets program, providing loans and business planning assistance to farmers who market their products directly to consumers or who are engaged in value-added production, processing, or marketing. He is based in Prairie du Sac, WI.

    Dietmann has been helping family farmers with farm financial management issues since the mid-1990s, first as a county agricultural agent, then as director of the Wisconsin Farm Center, as Wisconsin’s Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and now with the Farm Credit System.  He is co-author of the book Fearless Farm Finances: Farm Financial Management Demystified and author of Turning Grain Into Dough: Farm Financial Management for Organic Grain and Crop Rotation. He teaches dozens of workshops each year on a variety of topics related to farm finances.

     


  • Services: Assist growers in understanding and incorporating the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule requirements for their specific farm environment. Discussions can cover topics such as Pre-Harvest or Harvest/Postharvest Agricultural Water Rules, Farm Food Safety Plans, etc.

    Bio: My focus on food safety began in 2011, working with small and commercial fruit and vegetable growers on Good Agricultural Practices. The major areas of concentration were on food safety issues, sustainable local food production, and advancement of local food systems through Illinois Extension. In May of 2021 I was hired by the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) as the Midwest Regional Extension Associate, which requires me to work closely with growers/packers, Extension personnel associated with Land-Grant Universities, State Departments of Agriculture, State Farm Bureaus, regulatory agencies, and several state-wide non-profit organizations throughout my twelve-state region. The focus of my efforts concentrates on initiating, organizing, teaching, and evaluating PSA Grower Trainings and Train-the-Trainer courses in the United States and Internationally through in-person trainings as well as online and remote trainings through web-based platforms. It is my responsibility to understand and convey the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) and corresponding preamble as well as FDA guidance and updates as they are released. I help stakeholders to understand the PSR requirements and how it affects the farm environment as a whole


  • Services: The Emerging Markets Team at Compeer Financial helps with access to credit and financial services for direct-to-consumer and value-added processors. This includes help with financials (balance sheet, cash flow projection), business planning, and financial advice for non-traditional operations such as urban farms, fruit, vegetables, flowers, bees, direct-to-consumer livestock, and value-added, including organic, sustainable, and regenerative operations.

    Bio:‍ ‍Since graduating with a BS in Agribusiness, Farm & Financial Management from the University of Illinois in 2008, Sarah has gained a wealth of experience in a variety of industries. Staring with a career in Boston before moving to Chicago in 2009, where she worked as a payroll accountant and supervisor. In 2017, she returned to her roots in Graymont, IL, to join her family's farming operation and began working as an Agricultural Lender at a local bank. Simultaneously, she pursued her MBA at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business.

    As the sixth generation on her family's farm, she has a deep connection to agriculture. She currently grows conventional corn and soybeans alongside her dad and uncle. Besides, she has an active role in the Illinois Farm Bureau, serving on several committees and currently as the Treasurer/Secretary of the Livingston County Farm Bureau.

    In her current role at Compeer Financial, Sarah assists non-traditional agricultural operations that sell their products directly to consumers. This includes urban agriculture, value-added production, and non-traditional ag operations like fruits, vegetables, and flowers.


  • Services: Consulting services to support farmers, producers, and market managers establish or expand fruit and vegetable voucher incentive programs. Based on the clients region and goals, consulting will be provided to establish relationships with the appropriate organizations such as initiating voucher incentive redemption applications, and vendor applications. We will also follow up with you to support achievement of the clients goals. Services will also include support setting up an email address to align with EBT redemption requirements.

    Bio:‍ ‍As the Nutrition Initiatives Program Manager for Illinois Public Health Institute, Trevor Johnson leads the nutrition strategies for the Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program. As a farmer, designer, and now working at the state level, his experience will help you identify and explore tools, resources, and strategies to help you grow.


  • Services: Grow Marketing + Communications helps farmers markets, food systems organizations, and community-driven initiatives amplify their impact through smart, strategic marketing. From branding and storytelling to social media, digital advertising, and content planning, Grow offers tailored support to help you engage your audience and elevate your mission. Whether you're looking to boost market attendance, improve online presence, or launch your first ad campaign, a consultation with Grow is your first step toward confident, effective marketing.

    Bio:‍ Natalie Kenny Marquez is the Founder of Grow Marketing + Communications, LLC, a woman-owned consulting firm specializing in business development, branding, and marketing strategy for mission-driven organizations, small businesses, and nonprofits. With a strong focus on the healthcare and agriculture sectors, Natalie brings a depth of experience working with entities of all sizes—from family farms and food startups to statewide initiatives and large-scale grant projects through the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture. Natalie is also a dedicated partner to nonprofits and small businesses, offering fractional Chief Marketing Officer (fCMO) services that deliver high-level strategic marketing expertise without the cost of a full-time hire. Her work empowers organizations to clarify their messaging, engage their audiences, and build sustainable visibility. Before founding Grow, Natalie spent over a decade in municipal government, serving at the Village of Skokie and later as Marketing Coordinator and Director of Urbana’s Market at the Square in the City of Urbana, Illinois. Her firsthand knowledge of community engagement, public administration, and food systems communications informs her thoughtful and practical approach to marketing. Natalie has been a leader in the Illinois local food movement for well over a decade, having served on the board of the Illinois Farmers Market Association since 2012, including nearly nine years as Board Chair. In addition to her board leadership, she frequently leads trainings and webinars for farmers, market managers, and small food businesses on topics such as e-commerce, display design, and digital marketing. She holds a double major in Journalism/Advertising and Political Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago


  • Services: Cottage Food and Value Added Product Consulting. Startup considerations, product creation, packaging & labeling, signage & marketing, navigating regulatory hurdles, navigating governmental hurdles, utilizing local ingredients as a sales point, and other topics related to small food businesses in Illinois.

    Bio:‍ Kelly Lay is the owner & farmer of Meadow Lane Farm, located in Leroy, IL, a small farm & food business specializing in locally grown & foraged products. She has been an active advocate for local food and farming since 2020. In 2021, Kelly gave testimony to an Illinois Congressional hearing on the Home to Market Act, which later passed unanimously. Later that year, she led a team of IL stakeholders in writing the IDPH Cottage Food Guide, providing a comprehensive guide to set small food businesses up for success. More recently, Kelly has been a part of multiple statewide working groups responsible for updates to the Farmers Market Safety Guide, mobile market regulations, Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant, discussions about shared kitchen regulations, an update to cottage food regulations in the Home to Market Act, and a new update to the IDPH Cottage Food Guide.

    In addition to Meadow Lane Farm, Kelly is a Farm Educator for Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, an Alderwoman for the City of Leroy, and regularly provides consulting services to local farm & food businesses on topics related to food safety, food & farming regulations, growing a small food business, navigating government as a small business, developing new food & farm products, selling "locally grown & made" to the general public, and other topics related to successful small food & farm operations in Illinois.


  • Services: Irma Lopez is the President and Owner of ICL Consulting, LLC, bringing over two decades of experience in economic development, government outreach, and small business advocacy.

    Bio: She currently serves as a Community Engagement Consultant under contract with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), where she leads strategic outreach efforts to inform and engage communities about the Illinois Human Rights Act and the department’s available resources and programs.

    Prior to joining IDHR, Irma served as Program Coordinator for the Illinois Coronavirus Response & Relief Business Center (ICRR) at the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council. The ICRR was established to help minority-owned businesses in both urban and rural communities navigate and leverage federal, state, and local resources made available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Irma has also worked as an independent contractor with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, providing subject matter expertise and technical assistance to small businesses through the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

    Earlier in her career, Irma served as Outreach Manager for both the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and the Veteran Business Program (VBP) within the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). In this role, she represented the programs at major conferences and public forums to promote the state’s commitment to awarding at least 20% of state contracts to businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

    Irma’s public service also includes over 16 years with the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO). While there, she managed the Eliminate the Digital Divide Grant Program, funding organizations in underserved communities to deliver internet access and digital literacy training. She also worked in DCEO’s Office of Trade & Investment, supporting small and mid-sized businesses in expanding their global reach through export assistance and international trade services.

    Irma is a passionate advocate for small businesses and is dedicated to educating entrepreneurs on the benefits of certification through BEP, VBP, and other public and private certifying entities. Her deep understanding of government programs and procurement pathways makes her a vital resource for business owners across Illinois.

    She is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.


  • Services: Feasibility Analysis & Business Planning Evaluation Building Community Food Webs Support Systems for Emerging Farmers

    Bio: Ken Meter is one of the most experienced food system analysts in the U.S., integrating market analysis, business development, systems thinking, and social concerns. Meter holds more than 50 years of experience in inner-city and rural community capacity building. His local economic analyses have promoted local food networks in 155 regions in 42 states, 2 provinces, and 4 tribal nations. He developed strategic regional food plans for 20 regions across the U.S. Meter consulted with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and Colorado State University as one of 14 co-authors of a toolkit for measuring economic impacts of local food development. He is author of Building Community Food Webs, published by Island Press in 2021. Meter served as co-editor of Sustainable Food System Assessment: Lessons from Global Practice, published by Routledge (UK) in 2019. He is also a member of the International Economic Development Council and the American Evaluation Association, invited to speak to leadership groups of both organizations.

     


  • Services: Becoming an Employer of Choice; HR and HRM, including best practices from hiring to retiring and everything in between; coaching employees to improve performance; developing high performing work teams and team leaders; building a cohesive leadership (owners/managers) team, and managing conflict in the workplace. I am able to provide resources on regional food system development.

    Bio: Kristine Ranger is an innovative and valued resource responsible for transforming people, teams and organizations across the Midwest. In the past 40 years, she has coached start up and growth phase businesses and organizations in people skills, team and leadership development, organizational development, business planning, and HR systems and practices. Her consulting focuses on developing high performing work teams; family/farm succession planning; human resource management; and organizational health, culture and strategy. From 2002-2005, she served on the leadership team that designed and implemented the first multi-channel “Buy Local” campaign in Michigan that increased sales of fresh Michigan products by 100%. Her efforts resulted in the highly popular Farmers Market at the Capital, a Farmers Market at Henry Ford Hospital, and several Farm to Chef and Farm to School programs that still exist today. She also consulted in the development of the MSU Product Center for Ag & Natural Resources and became a certified Ag Innovation Counselor, helping numerous agri-preneurs with new product development, business planning and marketing initiatives. Recently, her food system consulting work has focused on rural economic development and the launch of a NE MI Food & Farming Network. Kristine completed her Master’s in Adult Education at South Dakota State University and certification courses for systems thinking, program evaluation, and human resource development. She is an accomplished speaker and writer, authoring several feature articles, newsletters and grant applications for her clients. She also advises on effective adult learning delivery methods to help increase attention and knowledge retention through train-the-trainer programs. She serves as a Parliamentarian and is an Authorized Partner and Accredited Facilitator for Wiley workplace solutions and self-assessing resources. A pioneering leader, Kristine championed the development of a Toastmasters International Chapter, a Business Networking International (BNI) Chapter and a State FFA Alumni Association. In addition to her past leadership roles with several state-wide non-profits, she is a member of American AgrWomen, The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the National AgHR Advisory Group; and served on the Ag STEM Advisory Board for her local school district. She is a Lifetime FFA Alumni member and former FFA Advisor. Clients appreciate Kristine’s down-home delivery style, keen eye for review, and unbiased analysis. Her methodology of “deliberate practice” impacts the entire workforce and improves performance at all levels. In other words, shift happens!


  • Services: Regenerative farming practices, Organic crop farming, Grazing beef cattle and sheep, Grazing cover crops, Grazing infrastructure (fence, water systems).

    Bio: Dan Sanderson is a lifelong farmer from Northern Illinois with over 50 years of experience in agriculture. Raised on a family farm, Dan has dedicated his career to exploring and implementing innovative practices that improve both the land and the way food is grown. His book Grounded: One Farmer’s Journey to Regenerative Agriculture shares his story and the lessons in farming he has learned along the way.

    As the steward of Pasture Grazed Regenerative Farm, Dan has transitioned from conventional farming methods to regenerative agriculture, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability. His farm is a model of how livestock integration, rotational grazing, and cover cropping can work together to heal the land and produce nutrient-dense food. Dan is always happy to share his journey and insights at conferences, workshops, and with fellow farmers seeking to make a positive impact. His lifelong commitment to learning, observing nature, and adapting to new information makes him a credible and passionate advocate for regenerative farming practices.


  • Services: Identifying grant opportunities Preparing a budget Building a GANTT chart Writing a compelling narrative How to partner with collaborators

    Bio: Dr. Leah Windsor is the Director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems and an Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at The University of Memphis. Her research broadly examines how what we say reveals who we are, and her work on regenerative agriculture addresses how farmers think and talk about agricultural changes and stressors. She is a fourth generation farmer with 450 acres of row crops (no-till and cover crops) in Southern Illinois. She served as co-PI on a USDA renewable energy grant and is currently PI on an NCR-SARE grant supporting a regenerative farmer network (Southern Illinois Farmers for Soil Health). She is a frequent collaborator with Understanding Ag and the Soil Health Academy, and was accepted into the 2025 AgLaunch Virtual Bootcamp for an innovative app for farmers. Dr. Windsor is a current member of the Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Partnership’s Soil Health Leadership Program, co-led by the American Farm Trust. She has expertise in mentorship, co-authoring two books (the PhD Parenthood Trap and Chutes and Ladders) and is founded the mentorship network at the UofM in 2019. Dr. Windsor received her Bachelor of Science in Linguistics degree from Georgetown University in 1998, her Master’s degree in Political Science at The University of Memphis in 2005, and her Ph.D. in Political Science from The University of Mississippi in 2012.