COD Farm to Move to Forest Preserve Model Farm in Wheaton

COD and the Forest Preserve will next draft an intergovernmental agreement, which both boards will need to approve. Officials from the two agencies see the agreement as the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership.

"Part of the District's mission is to present the county's agricultural roots as well as modern environmental practices, so bringing this organic education farm to the Danada Model Farm is a good fit," said Forest Preserve District President-Elect Joe Cantore. "It's not only a benefit for COD students but for the community as well."

Cantore approached COD after the College announced it would not continue the farm because of future development on campus.

"We are extremely pleased and grateful for this overture on the part of the Forest Preserve District, and as we learn more about each other over the next four to five months, we hope to discover additional opportunities to partner our resources," said COD President Robert L. Breuder. "This is symbiosis at its best, two major public entities working together to the benefit of the communities they both serve."

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County owns and manages 25,000 acres of prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Each year its 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers welcome over 4 million visitors. College of DuPage with more than 28,000 students is the second-largest provider of undergraduate education in Illinois.

For more information, please contact Joe Moore, COD Vice President, Marketing and Communications, at (630) 942-2371 or moorej7718@cod.edu.