Agricultural Innovation and Value-Added Business Grants

Agricultural Innovation and Value-Added Business Grants is sponsored by Illinois Department of Agriculture. This program aims to bolster agricultural enterprises in Illinois by encouraging innovation and enhancing value-added processes within the industry, specifically in dairy production and expanding processing capabilities.

Funding/Finance | Illinois Farm Bureau Learn About IL Agriculture Learn About IL Agriculture Menu Learn About IL Agriculture Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity List of upcoming virtual grant trainings hosted by DCEO's Office of Accountability. Innovative Agriculture Micro-grants for Chicago Grants are designed to fund innovative forward-thinking, and novel projects to advance urban agriculture in Chicago.

Quick Start Guide for New Grantee Registration Guide to register in the System for Award Management in order to receive federal contracts and grants. Illinois Extension Grants Extension Collaboration Grants (ECGs) are designed to fund collaborative work among UIUC campus faculty and Extension specialists, educators, and/or other Extension field staff.

Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund IDOA & Farmer Veteran Coalition The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business.

Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant The new Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program will invest in critical infrastructure to scale up the processing, aggregation, and distribution of local food to meet the needs of Illinois communities. Grant opportunity that focuses on rural development, specifically for Illinois Farm Bureau Members. Chicago Region Food Systems Fund Only organizations or fiscal sponsors are eligible to apply.

These grants aim to build stronger food systems in the Chicago region Funds projects that need a short-term infusion of funds for school food system and marketplace improvements. Extensive list of government grants, private grants, loans, and equity. Supports small, grass-roots organizations with an annual budget under $350,000, focusing on community and root cause issues.

Clarence E Heller Foundation Grant Clarence E Heller Foundation Promotes long-term good health and viability for communities and regions. Focus areas include protecting the environment, regional planning, and sustainability in agriculture and food systems. Clif Family Foundation Grant Funding priorities: Strengthen our food system; Enhance equitable community health outcomes; Safeguard our environment and natural resources.

Aims to invest in efforts to solidify the leadership, dignity, and power of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant people to identify and drive solutions that expand the market for good food from locally or regionally owned and environmentally and economically sustainable farms, ranches, fisheries, and food businesses.

America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative This new program offers capacity or credit enhancement grants to support partnerships between organizations from different sectors to improve access to fresh, healthy, affordable food by providing financial and technical assistance to eligible projects.

Micheal and Susan Dell Foundation Grants The Micheal and Susan Dell Foundation The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of children living in urban poverty by improving their education, health, and family economic stability.

Farmers Advocating for Organic Grant Grants are awarded to research, education and advocacy projects that advance Farmers Advocating for Organic’s mission: to protect and promote the organic industry and the livelihood of organic farmers. HFFI Planning Grant Program Healthy Food Financing Initiative This grant program seeks to fund ideas in planning stages. Primarily revolves around community development and infrastructure procurement.

Composting and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Project Financial assistance to municipalities, school districts, counties, local governments, special district governments, tribal governments, or tribal organizations to carry out food waste reduction and composting objectives.

Application for Farm Direct applicants to the Link Match Grant Value Added Producer Grant The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

FSA Farm Loans - FAQ's Answered Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA and National Young Farmers Coalition Recorded webinar overviewing FSA loans, eligibility, and some of the most frequently asked questions regarding FSA. USDA-FSA Program Overview Illinois Urban Growers Network Presentations overviewing the USDA Farm Service Agency and its programs.

Topics include urban service centers, establishing a farm number, establishing program eligibility, conservation plans, farm operating plans, loan programs, and certification as a socially disadvantaged person, limited resource or beginning farmer/rancher. How to get started with FSA to utilize their programs most effectively.

USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program These grants, authorized by the FMPP, are targeted to help improve and expand domestic farmers' markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. USDA Loans and Financial Assistance Program Through FSA, USDA provides loans and financial assistance for disaster relief, conservation, income support, and more.

Loans for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Loan opportunities for farm ownership and operating loans for minorities and women. Loan opportunities pertaining mainly to the financing needs of small, beginning farmers, niche, and non-traditional farm operations.

NRCS Cost Share Practices in Illinois Residents who own or rent land to produce agricultural products may be eligible to receive money for implementing practices that have environmental benefits. Find examples of applicable practices and a condensed payment schedule. USDA Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans Farm ownership loans provide access to land and capital.

Designed to support beginning producers. Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, and to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities.

Illinois Finance Authority Available to any individual for the purpose of funding their first acquisition of farmland anywhere in Illinois. Provides qualified farmers, agri-business, and agriculture professionals with below-market rate loans to start, expand or add value to their farm operations. Schools that participate in the National School Lunch program are eligible for funds to purchase local food.

Farm Storage Facility Program Federal loan for on-farm storage and handling for small and mid-sized farms, and for new farmers. IL Equitable Access Towards Sustainable Systems Illinois Urban Growers Network Overview of the Illinois EATS Program, the food safety training requirements for participation, fair market value, and how to get involved.

Illinois Equitable Access Towards Sustainable Systems (IL-EATS) A list of lead agencies for the IL-EATS Program. Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program Illinois Urban Growers Network A presentation from Steve Ericson of Feeding Illinois about the organization's work, and the opportunities provided by the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program.

Financing Options for Emerging Markets Illinois Urban Growers Network A presentation by Sarah Hoerner from Compeer Financial. She spoke on Financing Options for Farmers and Ranchers by overviewing farm loans, how to prepare to apply for a loan, how a lender processes a loan application, and the range of farm lending options.