GFS Consultants LLC

10/20/2026

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, part of the IDNR family of sites, will host its annual Holiday Native American Market Nov. 27-29 at the site's Interpretive Center in Collinsville.

Artists representing several tribal nations will participate, including Muscogee, Santo Domingo, Diné (Navajo), Hopi, Zuni and Ho-Chunk. Visitors will have an opportunity to purchase a variety of authentic Native American artwork and crafts, including jewelry, ceramics, paintings, drawings, clothing, flutes and woodcarvings.

The market offers a unique shopping experience and an opportunity for visitors to interact directly with artists while learning about Native American art and culture. Admission and parking are free, and the event is open to the public.

Market hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29.

10/20/2026

10/20/2026

ISBE is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2027 Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program (EHCY) until 4 p.m. Nov. 23. EHCY funding helps Illinois schools facilitate the enrollment, attendance, and educational achievement of homeless children and youth. Learn more and apply at https://okt.to/xDREiw.

10/20/2026

Great news! IDNR is awarding $697,816 in grants to support 14 grants stewardship programs managed by land trusts on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC).

The grants are part of the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program, which aims to increase the delivery of much-needed land and water stewardship activities to natural areas permanently protected within the provides funding to eligible land trusts for activities that protect and restore natural areas within the INPC system. Given the growing stewardship needs of natural areas throughout Illinois, this grant program funds projects that help land trusts expand staff and purchase equipment for these activities.

Funding for the grant program is derived from a portion of the Illinois Natural Areas Acquisition Fund. The fund must be used by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the acquisition and stewardship of natural areas, including habitats for endangered and threatened species.

Learn about the recipients here:https://www.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/illinois/iisnewsattachments/33042-101526-10152026nas-grants.pdf.pdf

10/20/2026

An agriculture teacher at Hopkinsville Middle School will receive grant money to forward a gardening project with students on campus in an effort to combat hunger. | MORE ⬇

10/20/2026

💵 $1.8 MILLION is coming for Illinois’ local food infrastructure!

Are you a farmer, food business, food hub, or organization looking to expand your ability to process, store, or distribute locally grown food? The 2027 Local Food Infrastructure Grant (LFIG) could help make your next project possible!

💰 Collaborative grants: up to $250,000
🚜 Individual grants: up to $75,000
📅 Applications open November 2, with a deadline of January 6, 2027.

But don’t wait to get started! Required registrations can take 2–4 weeks, so now is the time to prepare.

We’ve put together a new blog with key dates, eligibility details, examples of eligible projects, and steps to get ready to apply.

👇 Comment LFIG below, and we’ll send you the link to read the full guide!

Know a farmer or food business that could benefit? Tag them or share this post. 🌾

10/10/2026

10/05/2026

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is moving forward with an $8.4 million project to build a new teaching greenhouse and improve existing facilities used for agricultural and plant science education.

The Illinois Capital Development Board recently selected Eggemeyer Associates Architects Inc. to provide architectural and engineering services. The project is funded through the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan.

Plans call for a new agricultural sciences teaching greenhouse next to an existing greenhouse support area. The facility will include heating, cooling, ventilation, irrigation, lighting and shade systems that allow students and researchers to control growing conditions.

The project also includes changes to existing support spaces, utility connections and other infrastructure needed for the new greenhouse.

SIU’s botany greenhouse and its support areas will undergo renovations as well. That work includes accessibility improvements, hazardous material removal, structural repairs and upgrades to plumbing, electrical and environmental systems.

Kristina Boone, dean of the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences, said the facilities support students studying horticulture, agronomy, agricultural education and plant biology. Research conducted in the greenhouses includes work involving specialty crops, corn and soybeans.

Boone said she expects the project to expand research opportunities for students and faculty while helping attract more students. She also said SIU offers the state’s only comprehensive undergraduate horticulture program.

Mark T. Owens, SIU’s director of Facility and Energy Management, said the improvements are intended to make the greenhouses more reliable and better suited to the university’s teaching and research needs.

A construction start date and completion timeline are not yet available.

10/05/2026

The Illinois Farm Bureau is offering $125,000 in Rural Development Grants for 2027. They are looking for projects that will meet an economic development or quality of life need in a community, county, or rural area, and get residents excited about what is happening in their community.

Examples could include projects that:
- Focus on attracting businesses
- Foster entrepreneurship
- Improve infrastructure
- Provide access to fresh foods
- Increase healthcare access
- Expand recreational opportunities
- Increase available housing
- Develop tourism
- Enhance emergency services support (fire, emergency medical services, police)
- Otherwise positively impact farmers and rural Illinoisans

Full details on the grant program can be found at on.ilfb.org/rdgrants6

The deadline to apply for a grant is December 1st. If you are interested in submitting an application, please contact the Wayne County Farm Bureau at 618-842-3342 so we can discuss your project.