University of Illinois Extension

Illinois Small Farms

Grants

Funding Resources

Farm Credit Services 

A network of independently-owned and operated credit and financial service institutions that serve farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses across the country.

Frontera Farmer Foundation Grants

The Frontera Farmer Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to promoting small, sustainable farms serving the Chicago area by providing them with capital development grants. The Foundation will award grants for capital improvements of up to $12,000 to small and medium-size, individually owned farms that sell their food products to customers in the Chicago area at farmers markets and otherwise. Farmers must have been in business for at least two years and must demonstrate how the grant will improve both their farm’s viability and the availability of locally grown food products in the Chicago area. Grant applicants will be judged on the basis of demonstrated need, long-term dedication to sustainable farming, creative and business acumen, and commitment to sustainability.

Heifer International

Heifer primarily helps farmers through livestock loans, equipment and training.

Esther Muchiri
773-279-9696.
Illinois Council on Food and Agriculture Research

The mission of C-FAR is to secure additional resources to adequately fund relevant and high-quality research and related outreach programs that lead to profitable, consumer-sensitive, and environmentally sound food and agricultural systems in Illinois and the nation.

Kraig A. Wagenecht, Executive Administrator
Illinois Council on Food & Agricultural Research (C-FAR)
1101 W. Peabody Dr
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-4232
wagenech@uiuc.edu
Illinois Department of Agriculture Illinois AgriFirst Grant Program

AgriFIRST is the direct result of grassroots input generated from regional Ag Assembly meetings held in 2000. Those meetings brought together leaders in the agriculture community to address the challenges facing Illinois agriculture. Ag Assembly participants recommended the creation of a grant program to provide monies for feasibility studies and technical assistance for value-added projects that raise farmers' share of profits from the processing of raw commodities. AgriFIRST was created in 2001 and demonstrates the Department's commitment to the agriculture and food industry.

Illinois Department of Agriculture C-2000 Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program

A statewide grant program that provides grants in the areas of (1) On-Farm Research and Demonstration; (2) Outreach and Education; and (3) University Research

Mike Rahe, Coordinator
Illinois Department of Agriculture
PO Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
(217) 785-5594
mrahe@agr.state.il.us
Illinois Entrepreneurship Network
  • Business Information Center
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • Illinois Business Financing Matrix (PDF)
    A guide to Federal, State and Regional loan incentive and grant programs for business and economic development.
Illinois Finance Authority

A self-financed, state authority principally engaged in issuing taxable and tax-exempt bonds, making loans, and investing capital for businesses, nonprofits and agricultural units statewide.

Beginning Farmer Bond Program

This program provides affordable financing to farmers by using federally tax exempt bonds ("Aggie Bonds") to reduce the interest rate on a loan to purchase farmland. This program can be used between a buyer and his/her local lender or between a buyer and the seller for a contract purchase. The lender or contract seller make all credit decisions for the loan. Loans may be used to purchase capital assets including farmland, new or used farm improvements or buildings, new equipment, and used equipment when purchased with farmland. Loan proceeds may not be used to finance a residence. The maximum loan size is $250,000. Eligibility requirements include:

  • Illinois resident at least 18 years old;
  • Net worth of less than $500,000;
  • Borrower will be the principal user of the capital item;
  • Have not owned a significant amount of farmland.
Illinois State Treasurer's Office — Agriculture and Alternative/Value Added Agriculture

Gives farmers and agriculture professionals access to capital to start or enhance their operations with the help of low-interest rate loans. The Treasurer’s Office offers five types of Cultivate Illinois loans: Annual Operating Loans; Long-Term Loans; Alternative Ag Loans; Storm and Drought Loans; and Green Rewards.

Agriculture Programs
1 West Old State Capital Plaza, Suite 814
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 558-6215
Natural Resources Grant Opportunities in Illinois

IDNR's C2000 Program Natural Resources Grant Opportunities in Illinois Web site. This web site introduces users to valuable financial resources by incorporating state and national grant options into one user-friendly site. The site was developed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Conservation 2000 Ecosystems Program.

Organic Farming Research Foundation

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) fosters the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming practices. They have two grant programs: Research and Education and Outreach. OFRF's upcoming proposal deadlines are December 17, 2007 and July 15, 2008.

Thanks to a major new partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company, the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) will invest $450,000 over the next three years in organic fruit research and education projects. In addition to this special fruit initiative, OFRF plans to award a record quarter million dollars in general organic project grants in 2008. OFRF has issued its Request for Proposals for organic research and education projects for Spring and Fall 2008 grants. Proposals for awards of up to $15,000 per year ($20,000 for fruit projects) are due to OFRF on or before December 17, 2007 and July 15, 2008. Multi-year funding will be considered for fruit projects. Fruit proposals are subject to the same application and review process as OFRF's general grants program, but will be underwritten by the new partnership funds. The full Request for Proposals and application information are available online or by contacting Jane Sooby at the OFRF office (831-426-6606, ).

Organic Farming Research Foundation
P.O. Box 440
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
831-426-6606
USDA Farm Services Agency – Beginning Farm Loan Program

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides direct and guaranteed loans to beginning farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Each fiscal year, the Agency targets a portion of its direct and guaranteed farm ownership (FO) and operating loan (OL) funds to beginning farmers and ranchers.

USDA North Central Region (NCR) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)

The NCR SARE program has awarded more than $30 million worth of competitive grants to farmers and ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups, and others exploring sustainable agriculture in 12 states.

USDA Rural Development

Rural Development achieves its mission by helping rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs. Rural Development works to make sure that rural citizens can participate fully in the global economy.

Underserved Producer Grantwriting Assistance Project

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), a nonprofit educational institute in East Troy, Wisconsin announces a new project, funded by USDA's Risk Management Agency that pays experienced grantwriters to assist producers in submitting proposals to federal agencies to support their work. The project places priority on serving socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, whom RMA describes as belonging to "a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as a member of the group without regard to their individual qualities. SDA groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders."

Project Announcement

Whole Foods Market Local Producer Loan Program

Whole Foods Market, the leading organic and natural foods supermarket, is seeking local farmers and other food producers who are interested in participating in its new Local Producer Loan Program. As part of a company-wide initiative supporting local agricultural producers and food artisans, the company plans to provide up to $10 million annually in low-interest loans to small producers in the U.S.

At five to nine percent, the interest rates currently offered through Whole Foods Market's pilot program to small agricultural producers can be extremely attractive. The program has other attributes geared to small producers: loan application paperwork is minimized; there are no penalties for early repayment; and loan terms may be from a few months to ten years.

The Local Producer Loan Program is part of Whole Foods Market's renewed commitment to local agriculture. This includes hosting farmers markets at stand-alone stores, refocusing in-store marketing to highlight locally-produced products, and hiring regional staff focused specifically on sourcing local products.

"It is Whole Foods Market's intention to help finance local food production all over the United States," said John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market. "We are going to 'walk our talk' with financial support for local, small-scale agriculture. We believe this financial assistance of up to $10 million per year can make a very significant difference in helping local food production grow and flourish across the United States."

Producers throughout the U.S. are invited to participate in the program. Those interested can find more information and a loan application at the LPLP website. They can also contact the program coordinators at .

NCR SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program