This is the initial agreement that will support the rehabilitation of the walk-in cooler and contractors for seed collection at mason state nursery in illinois

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service Region 9-Eastern Region awarded the Illinois Department of Natural Resources $1,000,000 on December 19, 2025, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act Nursery Vegetation program (CFDA 10.736) to rehabilitate the walk-in cooler at Mason State Nursery in Illinois and contract for tree seed collection activities.

The award funds construction costs to renovate and replace the existing walk-in cooler system and contractual costs including a three-year tractor lease for seed collection from Mason Nursery's seed orchards. A subsequent action added funding to hire a private contractor to collect additional tree seed because most in-service equipment had exceeded its useful life.

The period of performance runs through December 30, 2028. Work is performed in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is the child awardee under the State of Illinois (parent entity).

The upgrades include construction costs to renovate the walk-in cooler which will replace the existing system. Contractual costs include the lease of a tractor for three years that will be used to collect seeds.