John Peterson was born and raised on a family farm in Northern, Illinois.  The trails and tribulations of his family farm, and of agriculture in the Midwest, are documented in his film, The Real Dirt on Farmer John. John runs Angelic Organics, arguably the largest CSA in the country, which also includes the educational nonprofit Learning Center at Angelic Organics.

Dennis and Emily Wettstein from central Illinois have been nominated for their unparalleled integrity and their mouth-watering food.  They have been stewarding the earth and farming organically for over 20 years.  They raise corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, hay, chickens, turkeys, beef, lamb, pork, ducks, fruits and vegetables.