Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Many Illinois local farmers have lined up for a taste of new state funding aimed at making it easier to get their products to market.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance has announced the outcome of a two-month application process for the new Illinois Local Food Infrastructure grant program, with nearly $2 million in state funding to help address the challenge of opening new pathways for local food systems.

By Jan. 31 when the grant application period closed, 247 applications worth $23.5 million in funding requests were submitted, which is more than ten times the amount of money available to distribute this year.

But the Stewardship Alliance says all the extra demand is a great sign that if Illinois policymakers make funding and supporting local food infrastructure a priority, many local farmers and farms will grow and thrive. The grant program is part of ongoing efforts by the Stewardship Alliance to advocate for local food system support.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to open new doors of opportunity for dedicated people who share our commitment to a stronger local food network in every part of the state,” said Josh Snedden, grant program coordinator for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.

Farmers, food businesses, educational institutions, villages and local governments, and nonprofit organizations from more than 60 counties and across the agricultural sectors applied for funding.

Now, a committee of local agricultural and food specialists will pour through the applications and select those that have the most impact: established community support, positive economic impact for local food options, and long-term economic development for local foods. Grants of up to $150,000 per project with a minimum of 12 projects will be funded, with decisions made soon and announcements expected in March.

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.illinoislfig.org.