The Growing for Kane Program
The Growing for Kane Program (
Ordinance No. 1 3-240) was approved by the County Board in 2013 to provide new policy tools and guidance for increasing community access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown foods. The Growing for Kane Program and Ordinance were recommendations of Kane County's 2013
Health Impact Assessment (HIA). The report outlines several strategies for increasing the supply of locally grown foods, benefiting farmers and urban growers, as well as supporting networks that make fresh grown foods more accessible for the community.
The Growing for Kane Program was launched to support food growers in all areas of the county operating at any scale of production. Since the program's inception, the Kane County Agriculture Committee and County Board have directed numerous projects to support growers including grant programs, technical trainings, and food system studies. The County also plays a role in connecting local producers with buyers, distributors, and other value chain contributors to help expand their economic opportunities.
About This Page
This resource page includes links to information about active and completed Growing for Kane projects and opportunities. A section of this page also includes a list of resources available to farmers offered by partners and other aligned organizations. Kane County farmers that are interested in protecting their land with an agricultural conservation easement can visit the Farmland Protection Program
webpage to learn more.
You can
subscribe to the Growing for Kane e-newsletter for the latest updates on Growing for Kane projects and other resources available to growers and food system stakeholders. This publication includes announcements of funding opportunities, training and technical assistance programs, and new market / sales opportunities.
Start receiving the e-newsletter today.
Questions about the Growing for Kane Program can be directed to TansleyMatthew@KaneCountyIL.gov or 630-232-3493.
NEW PROGRAM – Free Food & Farm Technical Assistance
Kane County is launching a Food & Farm Technical Assistance Grant Program to help support qualified food and farm businesses and nonprofits with grant applications in February and March 2026. See below to learn more about available grant opportunities and to book a 1:1 grant introductory call. Grant support is only for Kane County residents and businesses, and offered by Sustainable Agriculture Consultant Ellen Kamps. Examples of technical assistance include coaching, grant document readiness, proposal narratives, and grant registration.
The Local Food Infrastructure Grant provides $1,000–$75,000 (or up to $250,000 for collaborative projects) to support investments in infrastructure that processes, packages, aggregates, stores, or distributes value-added agricultural products, meaning products that have been enhanced beyond raw production to increase market value or readiness. Eligible expenses may include processing equipment, grading and packing systems, labeling or packaging tools, refrigeration or cold storage tied to aggregation or distribution, food hub development, and refrigerated transport. Most projects require a 25% match, although match requirements may be waived for high-need projects. Funds cannot be used for labor, marketing, travel, land or building purchases, or production agriculture infrastructure such as irrigation systems, hoop houses, or equipment used solely for growing crops. Applications are open and close March 27, 2026. For more information please read provided information from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Deadline to book a 1:1 introductory TA session for the Local Food Infrastructure Grant: Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Click here to register.
Frontera Farmer Foundation Grant offers up to $15,000 for small and mid-size farmers to support capital improvements that strengthen farm viability (ex: equipment purchases, infrastructure upgrades, or efficiency improvements). Applicants must have operated for at least 3 years, sell food into the Chicago area market, and demonstrate how the project increases access to local food; nonprofit farms are NOT eligible and must have Schedule F. Applications are open now and due March 5, 2026. Here is a copy of the PDF application.
Deadline to book a 1:1 introductory TA session for the Frontera Farmer Grant: Friday, February 27. Click here to register.
Farm to Food Bank Capacity-Building Grant (Feeding Illinois)
Grants of $1,000–$100,000 are available to help farms and food-system partners invest in infrastructure that increases their ability to supply Illinois food banks and emergency feeding programs. Eligible projects may include cold storage, packing or processing equipment, aggregation tools, or transportation improvements that expand capacity to handle and distribute Illinois-grown food. Applicants must partner with a Feeding Illinois food bank and demonstrate how the project will increase food access for underserved communities. A 1:1 match is generally required, including at least 50% cash match (with remaining match allowed as in-kind contributions); match waivers may be available in some cases. Applications are open now and due March 8, 2026. Click here to read the FAQ.
Deadline to book a 1:1 introductory TA session for the Farm to Food Bank Grant: Friday, February 27. Click here to register.
Do you still have questions? Contact Sustainable Agriculture Consultant Ellen Kamps at ksustainableag@gmail.com All information discussed during technical assistance will be kept secure and confidential. Technical assistance grant support is not to be considered legal or financial advice.
