The sustainable agriculture movement in Illinois has always been closely associated with farmer-based groups and their alliances. Early in the movement, the Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Network (ISAN), and the Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Society (ISAS) both served as umbrella organizations providing administrative support for regional sustainable agriculture groups. At one time there were six regional sustainable agriculture groups in Illinois -- Advocates for Practical Farming, Black Prairie Sustainable Agriculture Association, Gateway Sustainable Agriculture Society, Little Egypt Sustainable Agriculture Society, Western Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Society, and Southeastern Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Society. Currently, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, a "membership organization that works to change unjust policies, institutions and attitudes that threaten the quality of life and foster environmental degradation" continues to work to promote sustainable agriculture in the state. Next generation organizations like The Land Connection and Central Illinois Farm Fresh Network have sprung up to address sustainable agriculture from a new perspective -- the development of Local Food Systems.

Funding for research and education in sustainable agriculture in Illinois prior to 1995 was limited primarily to USDA NCR SARE projects, additional monies were made available through University of Illinois Extension and Office of Research, and from the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources (ENR). The ENR funds provided matching funds to support the administrative and coordinative functions of the Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Network and the Illinois Sustainable Agricultural Society. The combination of SARE, LISA, and ENR funds provided monies for regional farmer-based sustainable agriculture groups to conduct research and demonstration projects and to host regional tours and conferences. Since 1995, the Illinois Department of Agriculture's (IDOA) Conservation 2000 Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program has provided much needed resources to fund sustainable agriculture education and research activities. Continued support has been provided by the USDA NCR SARE, University of Illionois Office of Research and Extension.