Description
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is offering a competitive, price‑based farm lease on state‑owned land within the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area. The lease is for five consecutive crop years (2027‑2031) covering roughly 658 acres in 2027 and similar acreage in subsequent years. The lessee must manage the land for agricultural production while complying with strict environmental and chemical use restrictions, maintain cover‑crop requirements, submit annual chemical, seed, and yield reports, and provide a letter of credit or pre‑payment for leasehold taxes. The contract is awarded to the highest responsive and responsible bidder; no set‑aside or subcontracting is permitted.
• Lease of ~658 acres per year for five years (2027‑2031) – revenue‑generating agricultural use on state wildlife property.
• Mandatory compliance with IDNR’s environmental standards (no neonicotinoid‑treated soybean seed, no dicamba, Atrazine label compliance, cover‑crop percentages, fire‑break creation, and annual reporting of chemicals, seed, and yields).
• Financial obligations include pre‑payment or irrevocable letters of credit for cash rent and real‑estate taxes, annual lease‑payment guarantees, and submission of liability insurance certificates.
• The award will be made to the highest total price among responsive and responsible bidders; the bid opening/opening date is November 4, 2026.
• No subcontracting, no small‑business set‑aside, and a 90‑day firm‑price period after award.