PEORIA, Ill. – Two Central Illinois farms received state funding in August to improve their operations. Illinois now prepares to make another $1.8 million available through its Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture previously awarded $65,860 to Zehr Farms LLC in Tazewell County and $42,141.36 to Panther Ridge Farms LLC in Woodford County.
25 News reports Zehr Farms sells pork products, while Panther Ridge Farms raises Angus beef. The two farms were among more than 40 recipients statewide in the previous round of funding.
The grant program helps Illinois farmers and food businesses purchase equipment and improve infrastructure needed to process, store and distribute locally produced food.
Eligible expenses can include refrigerated vehicles, food storage equipment and improvements to processing facilities.
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced an additional $1.8 million in available funding this week.
Individual projects can qualify for grants of up to $75,000, while collaborative projects can receive up to $250,000.
Applications for the new funding round will open November 2 and close at noon January 6, 2027.
Applicants must complete a registration process before applying, which can take two to four weeks.
More information, including application requirements and a list of previous recipients, is available through the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Infrastructure Grant website.
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