27AL2247 Jim Edgar Panther Creek S. F. W. A. Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is soliciting bids for agricultural farming services on approximately 830 acres at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area in Cass County, with bids due October 28, 2026, and a mandatory pre-bid conference on October 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM (in-person at the site or via WebEx).

The lease term runs March 1, 2027, through February 28, 2032, with no renewal options. The awardee will operate a farming lease designed to support wildlife populations and recreational opportunities through ecologically sound agricultural practices. The scope encompasses field management across 814.20 to 831.90 acres (annual range) with mandatory cover crop plantings maintaining approximately 48–49% of acres annually, strict atrazine buffer zones, firebreaks, wildlife corridors at 66 feet, and field access road maintenance. The lessee must prohibit neonicotinoid-treated soybean seed and dicamba application, maintain soil pH between 6.0–6.5 per Illinois Agronomy Handbook standards, and comply with specified phosphorus and potassium levels documented by soil testing. Double cropping is prohibited. The lessee must submit chemical logs, seed documentation, and yield monitor data by December 15 of each lease year and host field trial areas as determined by IDNR. Acceptable services include chemical and fertilizer application, tillage, planting, drainage structure repair, and timber stand improvement; services exceeding 10% of lease value or $10,000 require prior approval and are compensated at University of Illinois established rates.

The bidder must maintain general commercial liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, plus auto liability and worker's compensation. The lessee is responsible for all leasehold taxes (approximately $39,528 annually based on 2025 Cass County assessments) and must demonstrate financial capacity and equipment adequacy. No subcontracting is permitted except for cover crop planting, termination, and hay bailing. Pricing is per-acre annually; payment is due in full by March 1 or via irrevocable letter of credit with payments due July 15 and December 15. The contract price is firm except where IDNR-documented crop loss applies, calculated using University of Illinois Farmdoc data.

Bids must remain firm for 90 days. Bidders must submit Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosures, the Offer to the State of Illinois, the contract, and an Equipment List. Bidders currently liable for leasehold taxes on IDNR agricultural leases must provide evidence of payment or non-delinquency. A $15 administrative fee applies to contracts awarded at $1,000 or more. The State will award to the responsive and responsible bidder submitting the highest price.