$1.7M bonanza for Illinois ag workers

By Andi Anderson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently allocated $1.7 million to eight farms and agribusinesses in Illinois as part of a broader $50 million grant under the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program).

This initiative aims to enhance the resiliency of the U.S. food supply chain by addressing labor challenges in the agriculture sector.

The FLSP Program supports 141 awardees across 40 states and Puerto Rico, impacting 177 agricultural operations and benefiting approximately 11,000 workers.

By focusing on small to mid-sized farms, the program ensures these enterprises can remain competitive and viable in today’s market, thus uplifting rural communities nationwide.

In Illinois, recipients like Effingham Equity, a farmer-owned cooperative, are set to use their substantial $860,000 award to bolster recruitment and retention strategies.

With an expected outcome of 727 new hires, Effingham Equity plans to expand benefits, including offering paid leave to enhance worker satisfaction and loyalty.

Similarly, Big Creek Farms in Belle Prairie City will utilize a $200,000 grant to improve recruitment efforts, implement paid sick leave, and provide bonus pay.

This funding addresses the farm’s challenges with domestic labor shortages by stabilizing their workforce through enhanced benefits, thereby increasing agricultural productivity.

Other awardees in Illinois include Doty Nurseries, Three Rivers Community Farm, Grandview Farm, McClure Custom Pumping, Spring Grove Nursery, and SVF LLC.

These grants range from $25,000 to $200,000, each aimed at supporting specific needs such as improving working conditions and extending lawful migration pathways for workers, particularly through the H-2A visa program.

The FLSP Program, announced in September 2023, was developed in collaboration with various federal agencies and informed by the direct experiences of farm workers and farmers.

This targeted support reflects a significant step towards ensuring a sustainable and ethically managed agricultural workforce, essential for maintaining the integrity and stability of the food supply chain in the United States.

Photo Credit: usda