The Center for Agriculture in the Environment was jointly created by American Farmland Trust and Northern Illinois University in 1991 to help protect America's agricultural lands and to encourage healthy farming practices. This unique collaboration created a public policy research center with roots in both the private, nonprofit world and the academic community.
To achieve its mission, CAE works closely with the academic, environmental and agricultural communities to raise awareness of issues by providing research and strong academic arguments for wise public policy. In addition to its research, CAE's oversees and provides support for its affiliated centers and organizes workshops and symposia.