Current Updates and Activities - Phase II
VALIDATING
We have just concluded a period of validating, scoping, and translating collective needs into cross-silo strategies and refined opportunity areas.
To do this work, we’ve hired two facilitators who’ve helped the Task Force refine our Phase II strategies, and who are now launching two activity streams:
Refining the WHAT
through a state-wide questionnaire
Engaging people throughout the state to verify that the Task Force has correctly identified, named, categorized, and positioned the systemic and operational problems that need addressing as well as ensuring nothing was missed in the Phase I report. This is about turning the Phase I report back to people for validation and refinement.
Sharing Results and the Model for Change
What did we learn from you? And where does it go next?
Watch these two short videos to learn:
Refining the HOW
through facilitated sessions with topic area and regional groups
Getting feedback on how to address problems. It's about refining the first best guess at how the ecosystem might collectively organize around key issue areas, which is naturally included inside the proposed topic area and regional approach to addressing the systemic problems revealed in Phase I.
Office Hours
Do you have questions or comments after watching the videos? We’re hosting three unstructured “office hours” zooms. Register below for one and come talk with our Task Force members about the Roadmap.
EVENTS
We presented and gathered community feedback at two events this spring.
Everything Local Conference
Springfield
Food Justice Summit
Chicago
Graphic notes captured by Balakina Studios
TASK FORCE
We expanded our Task Force in December 2025 to bring new perspectives and energy to the work. Please welcome:
Emy Brawley, The Conservation Fund
Libby Ervin, Food Works
Kiara Jackson, Illinois Food Justice Alliance
Jennifer McCaffrey, University of Illinois Extension
Gina Roxas, Trickster Cultural Center
Alexandra Sossa, Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project
Updated 04.13.2026