Description
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is offering a five‑year farm‑lease of approximately 303.7 acres at Pyramid State Park – East Conant Unit. The lease is awarded to the highest‑priced responsive and responsible bidder; the price is expressed on a per‑acre basis for each crop year (2027‑2031). The lessee must operate the land for agricultural production, follow detailed crop‑plan and cover‑crop requirements, manage invasive weeds, adhere to pesticide restrictions, and provide annual reports, soil‑testing, and insurance. Payments are secured by an irrevocable letter of credit or cash‑rent and include responsibility for real‑estate taxes and compliance with state standard terms.
• Lease acreage varies by year (298.3 ac 2027, 291.1 ac 2028, 256.2 ac 2029, 288.9 ac 2030, 257.7 ac 2031).
• Annual lease value to the State is estimated ~$50 K (≈ $167/acre) and to the vendor ~$120‑$130 K per year.
• Mandatory pre‑bid conference on Oct 13, 2026; bids due Nov 12, 2026 2 PM; award will be based on highest price.
• Lessee must submit extensive disclosures, insurance certificates, and comply with conservation‑agriculture goals, cover‑crop planting windows, and prohibited‑chemical restrictions.