Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HB4922: EMERGING FARMER GRANT PROGRAM
Status: In committee, May 26, 2026
Creates the Emerging and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Infrastructure and Market Access Grant Program. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall administer grants to eligible applicants to increase agricultural production, strengthen farm viability, and expand market access. Defines "emerging farmer," "socially disadvantaged farmer," and related terms. Specifies allowable uses of grant funds, priorities for awards, and reporting requirements. Effective July 1, 2026.
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4922Introduced , by Rep. Sonya M. HarperSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 205/205-455 new 20 ILCS 205/205-455 new ILCS 205/205-455 new Creates the Emerging and Socially Disadvantaged FarmersInfrastructure and Market Access Grant Program. Provides that theDepartment of Agriculture shall administer grants to eligible applicantsto increase agricultural production, strengthen farm viability, and expandmarket access. Defines "emerging farmer," "socially disadvantaged farmer,"and related terms…
From the introduced text, February 3, 2026:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4922Introduced , by Rep. Sonya M. HarperSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 205/205-455 new 20 ILCS 205/205-455 new ILCS 205/205-455 new Creates the Emerging and Socially Disadvantaged FarmersInfrastructure and Market Access Grant Program. Provides that theDepartment of Agriculture shall administer grants to eligible applicantsto increase agricultural production, strengthen farm viability, and expandmarket access. Defines "emerging farmer," "socially disadvantaged farmer,"and related terms. Specifies allowable uses of grant funds, priorities forawards, and reporting requirements. Effective July 1, 2026. LRB104 17466 BDA 30892 b LRB104 17466 BDA 30892 b LRB104 17466 BDA 30892 b A BILL FOR HB4922LRB104 17466 BDA 30892 b HB4922 LRB104 17466 BDA 30892 b HB4922 LRB104 17466 BDA 30892 b AN ACT concerning agriculture. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: Section 3.Findings.The General Assembly finds that: (1) Beginning in Fiscal Year 2021, the State of Illinois appropriated funds to support socially disadvantaged farmers, recognizing persistent barriers to land access, capital, infrastructure, and market participation. (2) A portion of those appropriations has remained unexpended across multiple fiscal years, limiting the intended impact of those funds. (3) Emerging and socially disadvantaged farmers continue to face systemic and structural barriers that constrain agricultural production, business viability, and participation in local and regional food …