The Local Food Infrastructure Grant is funded through the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Eligibility Requirements
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Proposals may be submitted by individuals, groups, partnerships, or collaborations.
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Eligible applicants must currently or plan to store, process, package, aggregate, or distribute farm products raised in Illinois.
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Applicants should be established operations.
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Applicants should be able to demonstrate environmental stewardship, economic profitability, and social equity into their farming operation.
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Proposals must be for the purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installation of infrastructure that will increase market access of Illinois communities to Illinois agricultural products.
Eligible Applicants include but are not limited to:
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Illinois farms with less than 50 employees
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Illinois cooperatives with less than 50 employees
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Illinois processing facilities, food businesses, and food hubs, with less than 50 employees
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Illinois non-profit organizations
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Units of local government in Illinois
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Multi-farm collaborations
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Healthcare entities
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Educational institutions
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Correctional facilities
Grant Timeline
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Application opens: December 1, 2023
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Application closes: January 31, 2024
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Final award decisions: February 2024
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Funding disseminated: March 2024