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Suburban farm grows more than crops
Historic Wagner Farms, located less than 20 miles from the heart of Chicago, is a working farm offering hands-on agricultural experiences in suburban Glenview.
“For most people, this is the only farm they’re going to see,” said Blake Lanphier, Wagner Farms’ manager since he moved to the area from Iowa in 2016.
Lanphier, who was a finalist for the 2025 Illinois Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award, estimated the Cook County farm sees close to 10,000 students each year through school programs and more than 140,000 general visitors. Owned by the Glenview Park District, the 18.6-acre site features livestock, crops, flowers, antique equipment and interactive exhibits that highlight Illinois’ farming history.