27AL2032 Shabbona Lake State Park Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids for agricultural farming services at Shabbona Lake State Park under IFB 27AL2032, with bids due November 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., and a mandatory pre-submission conference on October 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The scope encompasses approximately 119.90 to 120.95 acres across 21 field parcels to be actively farmed annually from 2027 through 2031. The lessee must implement a five-year cropping rotation of corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and legumes; establish and manage approximately 29 acres of sunflower fields annually; plant approved cover crops on designated fields between harvest and March 15; maintain 8 acres of legume fields; and preserve 33-foot field borders and 66-foot wildlife corridors. Prohibited practices include neonicotinoid-treated soybean seed, Dicamba herbicides, double cropping, and biosolid applications. The lessee must follow label directions for Atrazine application and obtain prior agency approval for all pesticide use and field work. Approximately 30 acres annually must be dedicated to cover crop production to support soil health and wildlife habitat. Soil testing is required in the second and fourth years of the lease per Illinois Agronomy Handbook standards. Participation in USDA conservation programs (EQIP or CSP) is required with IDNR approval.

The lease term runs from June 1, 2027, through the 2031 crop year. Bidding shall be on a per-acre basis for each contract year, with award to the highest-priced responsive and responsible bidder. The lessee must pay all leasehold tax obligations and guarantee annual lease payments through either prepayment prior to March 1st or an irrevocable letter of credit with separate expiration dates of January 31, 2028, for 2027 cash rent and January 31, 2029, for 2027 real estate taxes due in 2028. Historical leasehold taxes range from $4,145.74 (2023) to $4,691.50 (2025). The lessee must maintain commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, plus auto liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and workers' compensation insurance as required by law.

Bidders must submit a Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, an Offer to the State of Illinois, a Contract document, an Equipment List (Attachment G), and applicable Business Enterprise Program or Veterans Small Business Program Utilization Plans. Written questions are due seven days after the pre-bid conference. Bids remain firm for 90 days following opening. Public bid openings occur in person at DNR Headquarters (One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702) and via WebEx. A $15 fee applies to contracts awarded at $1,000 or more.