The southern illinois farming alliance program: creating a foundation of resources to support farmers

Food Works received a $749,961 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Institute of Youth, Family, and Community under the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (CFDA 10.443), effective September 30, 2025 through September 29, 2028. The Southern Illinois Farming Alliance Program delivers comprehensive agricultural education and technical assistance to historically underrepresented farming populations in Southern Illinois, including socially disadvantaged farmers, beginning farmers, and veterans.

The funded program provides classroom training, farm seminars, mentorships, and financial stipends covering critical business and agricultural topics including business planning, specialty crop production, livestock management, land access strategies, and conservation practices. As a non-profit organization based in Carbondale, Illinois, Food Works administers this three-year initiative as a direct prime award with no documented sub-partners, building upon its established track record of supporting underserved agricultural communities in the region through federally funded outreach and capacity-building services.