Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) competitive grants initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; and development of policies related to zoning and other needs of urban production.

The grants are available through the USDA at this LINK

The 103rd General Assembly of Illinois has finalized the FY25 budget. Sadly, this budget was signed into law with a roughly 48% decrease in SWCD operational funding. Soil and Water Conservation District directors, staff and stakeholders will continue to strive to elevate the message across the state that will ensure that Illinois puts in motion the essential efforts to meet objectives of the nutrient loss reduction strategies (NLRS), achieve grassroots conservation essential to protect the states vital natural resources and raise the bar of climate resiliency across the state. SWCD team members are committed to serving their constituents in agriculture, urban development, watersheds and more. We are mandated by the Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Act to provide technical information on soil and water conservation, and our teams passionately pursue that assignment. We will find a path forward to ensure that the state’s essential Soil and Water Conservation Districts remain on the frontlines in protecting the state’s most vital natural resources…soil and water.

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION
We want clean water, and healthy soil - restore state funding to Soil & Water Conservation Districts
on Survey Monkey through Oct. 15th