Boosting Illinois farms - $1.8 million grants for food production and distribution

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Nineteen Illinois farms are set to receive a combined $1.8 million in grants to bolster their capacity for food production and distribution across the state. Administered by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, these grants aim to facilitate infrastructure projects under the Local Food and Infrastructure Grant Program.

Managed by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, these grants are part of the Local Food and Infrastructure Grant Program, facilitated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture's budget. A bipartisan group of state legislators and the Alliance recognized grantees at a recent Capitol news conference.

Grants were dispersed to farms statewide, including several in the Chicagoland area. Five recipients will receive the maximum grant amount of $150,000.

Among the recipients is The Flock Farm in southern Illinois, led by marine veteran Brent Glays. Glays aims to address processing challenges by building a local USDA-approved poultry processing center. This initiative will also include educational workshops on humane animal raising and meat processing.

Similarly, Eden Place Farms in Chicago will utilize its $150,000 grant to construct new kitchen, storage, and processing infrastructure. Founder Michael Howard views this funding as crucial support for urban agriculture initiatives.

While Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not propose ongoing funding for the upcoming budget year, advocates, including the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, are advocating for legislation to make the program permanent. Senate Bill 3077 seeks to establish a Local Food Infrastructure Grant program with at least $2 million in annual funding.

Sen. Dale Fowler, one of the bill’s sponsors, believes this program is vital for addressing food deserts and insecurities in Illinois. The bill recently passed unanimously through the Senate Agriculture Committee.

These grants signify a significant investment in Illinois' food infrastructure, with ongoing efforts to secure permanent funding for vital food initiatives.

Photo Credit -pexels-karolina-grabowska