Proceeds to Benefit Food Works
Photo: Dakota Ranch
Area families and individuals of all ages are invited to participate in the
2026 Neighborhood Co-op Grocery Farm Crawl, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, from 1pm -6pm both days. Tickets go on sale online August 1st!
The Co-op’s annual Farm Crawl is a great opportunity for families and friends to come together to learn more about locally available produce, meats, and other sustainable goods from farms across our region. All proceeds from the event will benefit Food Works, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization facilitating the development of a regional food economy in Southern Illinois.
Local producers will be opening up their farms for the event to share their story and products with the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience demonstrations, meet farmers, hear about the history of their farms, learn about crops and livestock and the unique ups and downs of farming.
The Co-op’s annual Farm Crawl started as a way to connect the community with local growers sustainably supplying our region with their goods. While the Co-op has been hosting some version of a farm crawl since 2001, it has had many iterations over the years.
“This year we’re focusing on an eastern region of farms in the Creal Springs area and a southern region of farms in Carbondale and south along route 51,” said Emily Yates, Neighborhood Co-op Brand Manager.
“We’ve introduced a few new farms to the crawl, as well as bringing back some fan favorites, highlighting local producers for the community to learn about and enjoy–we are excited to promote these farms and all they do for the region.”
One of those unique farms on the crawl is Dakota Ranch Highlands in Creal Springs, IL. They are a family ranch devoted to raising exceptional registered Highland cattle and premium Highland beef. Through thoughtful breeding, responsible stewardship, and a deep appreciation for this remarkable breed, Dakota Ranch Highlands is committed to preserving the qualities that make Highland cattle so unique. Ancestral ground beef and other products from Dakota Ranch Highlands are available for purchase at Neighborhood Co-op Grocery, as well as on this year’s Farm Crawl.
The 2026 Farm Crawl is a self-guided tour and will require your own transportation. Car passes must be purchased in advance to gain access to the farms for the event.
Passes are exclusively available for sale online starting August 1st by visiting www.neighborhood.coop/farm-crawl. They may also be purchased in-person at Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in Carbondale, IL starting Tuesday, August 25. Event “Eat Local” Perpetual Calendars featuring local artists are available both online and in store, as a fundraiser for the event. There are a limited number of car passes available.
Single day car passes are $20 to visit the area of your choosing: Eastern Region (Saturday, Sept 12) or Southern Region (Sunday, Sept 13). Multi-day (Flex) passes are $30. Use them either day (or both days) to access all the local farms! Each car pass comes with a reusable bag with informational brochure, maps, and
other event materials.
This family-friendly event will include education on sustainable growing practices, hi-tunnel houses, crop rotation, pollinator habitat, rotational grazing, and more. The farms will feature sheep, cattle, pigs, chickens, rabbits, fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fibers. Activities include feeding and petting animals, free sampling, and more. Many farms will have items available to purchase.
Sponsors include Heartland Mechanical Contractors, SIH, Cahokia Rice, with additional support from Henry Printing.
For more information about the event, contact Emily Yates at emily@neighborhood.coop or visit www.neighborhood.coop/farm-crawl. Watch for event updates online at www.facebook.com/carbondalecoop. For more information on Food Works, please visit fwsoil.org
About the Neighborhood Co-op Grocery
The mission of the Neighborhood Co-op Grocery is to serve the needs of owners and patrons by providing wholesome foods economically in the cooperative tradition, in ways that best promote the health of the individual, the community, and the earth. Learn more at www.neighborhood.coop.