Best Grants For Agricultural Education in Illinois

Illinois organizations running agricultural education, leadership, or career training programs for high school students through young professionals can access funding that supports ag leadership and cooperative education projects. Grants from CHS Foundation help build a diverse talent pipeline for agriculture and increase understanding of the agricultural cooperative business model, with priority for regional or national programs impacting multiple states.

Nonprofit organizations running sustainability and agricultural initiatives in Illinois can access funding for renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and sustainable agriculture projects. Grants from Green Mountain Energy help U.S.-based 501(c)(3), (4), (6), and (19) nonprofits with at least $250K in annual revenue implement impactful environmental projects, with awards ranging from US $50,000 - US $400,000.

The NCR-SARE Partnership Grant Program aims to enhance sustainable agriculture by fostering collaboration between agricultural professionals and groups of farmers. By facilitating innovative research and educational activities, this program supports projects that test new cropping strategies, develop marketing approaches, and enhance food security. Focused on the North Central Region, it encourages partnerships that drive on-farm research, ultimately improving economic viability and environmental stewardship for communities across 12 states.

High school seniors in select Illinois districts pursuing full-time undergraduate or trade studies, including agriculture and agricultural science, can receive scholarships for accredited U.S. institutions. With a mission to support education, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley administers the Albert M. Zari Scholarship Fund for students within its scholarship service area.

Nursing students from eligible Illinois counties pursuing full-time study at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution can receive scholarship support for higher education. Focused on nursing, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley invites students with permanent addresses in DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, or Will Counties to apply; agricultural education students in these areas may also benefit if studying nursing-related fields.

High school seniors in Kendall County, Illinois pursuing agriculture majors at accredited colleges or universities can apply for scholarships from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, typically around US $1,000. These one-year or multi-year awards support local students preparing for agricultural education and related careers.

Illinois agricultural education students from the Aurora area can access funding to study agriculture, law, teaching, or Christian ministry through scholarships from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. Awards of US $1,000 are typically offered as one-year, non-renewable or renewable multi-year scholarships to support college and university tuition.

Organizations running agricultural education or cooperative education programs in Illinois and other CHS trade area states can apply for CHS Foundation’s Cooperative Education Grant, which supports program-related costs. Eligible projects educate youth and young producers about the agricultural cooperative business model, use innovative approaches and technology, and operate at a state or national level.

Illinois college students from farm families or Illinois Farm Bureau member households pursuing agriculture, agribusiness, or related majors can receive fellowship support for higher education. IAA Foundation supports agricultural education in Illinois by administering these fellowships on behalf of agricultural partners and families to strengthen the future farming workforce and communities.

Illinois students from Farm Families or Farm Bureau member households pursuing agriculture, agribusiness, or related majors can access scholarship funding through the IAA Foundation. Focused on agricultural education, the program supports higher education costs for future agricultural professionals, with selection based on community involvement, financial planning, essays, and academic performance.

Illinois students pursuing agriculture, agribusiness, or related majors can access scholarship funding through the Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation, with awards up to US $2,500. Applicants must be Illinois residents, high school graduates, and enrolled in accredited colleges or universities, with selection based on academics, agricultural activities, community involvement, and financial need.

Illinois residents pursuing agriculture, agribusiness, or related majors at accredited colleges can receive scholarship support through the Howard Paarlberg Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship. Grants from Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation help higher education students in agricultural fields, with top applicants from the General CCFB Foundation Scholarship pool receiving this highest-value award for academic and leadership excellence.

Illinois students pursuing higher education in agriculture or related fields can receive scholarships supporting tuition and academic costs. Focused on agricultural education and leadership, Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation invites applicants studying technology, education, leadership development, or mental health tied to agricultural careers. Awards of US $3,000 consider academics, activities, financial need, and Farm Bureau involvement.

Illinois vocational agriculture students pursuing truck driving, diesel mechanics, welding, or technology programs with an agriculturally connected career focus can receive up to US $1,250 in scholarship support. Grants from Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation help agricultural education students who are Illinois residents and Farm Bureau members or dependents advance toward skilled ag and farming careers.

Illinois college students from Bureau County pursuing agriculture or agriculture-related fields can access funding through the Bureau County Farm Bureau Foundation. This scholarship supports higher education in areas such as agricultural education, veterinary medicine, leadership development, and related studies, helping local students advance careers that benefit Bureau County farm families and agriculture.

High school seniors from Bureau County, Illinois pursuing agriculture or agriculture-related fields can receive scholarship support for their education. Grants from Bureau County Farm Bureau Foundation help Illinois agricultural education students studying areas such as teaching, veterinary medicine, and leadership development prepare for careers that benefit local farm families and agriculture.

Graduating seniors from Murphysboro School District 186 in Illinois pursuing higher education can apply for the Dr. Michael Mugge Scholarship Fund to support college costs, with priority for music education majors. If few music applicants apply, students planning to study agriculture or education may also be considered by Southern Illinois Community Foundation.

Former or past John Wood Community College students in Illinois pursuing agriculture-related bachelor’s degrees can receive scholarship support for their junior or senior year. With a mission to strengthen communities, Community Foundation of the Quincy Area provides agricultural education students with annual spring awards administered through the college’s guidance office.

Division of Early Childhood

The Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood (DEC) was established as a standalone IDHS division in 2021 to help strengthen and centralize the state's existing child care, home visiting, and early intervention programs, as well as operationalize and create administrative capacity to establish sustainable infrastructure needs in order to streamline services.

Working hand-in-hand with local communities throughout Illinois, the Division of Early Childhood provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable child care; administers community-based prevention and intervention programs; and helps all children between the ages of birth to three with disabilities or delays, to learn and grow.

480-50-3708 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start

Description

Scope of Work

Provide a full-day, comprehensive Head Start child development program to children, ages six weeks to six years, from migrant and seasonal farm-worker families. Program includes early childhood education, school readiness, developmental assessment, mental health screening, field trips, project work, immunizations, nutritious meal service and medical and dental examinations, completion of dental and medical treatment for children who need it, social-service referrals and transportation services.

Announcement Type: Renewal

Illinois students pursuing agriculture-related education or training who are residents or high school graduates of Pike or Calhoun counties can receive the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship, awarding US $4,000. Focused on agricultural education, Community Foundation of the Quincy Area supports study at accredited postsecondary or nonprofit technical institutions in Illinois, Missouri, or Iowa.

Illinois students pursuing agricultural education at the University of Illinois College of ACES can receive scholarship support for their studies. The Donald and Patricia Pritchard Scholarship Fund, administered by Dekalb County Community Foundation, assists DeKalb County high school seniors and graduates majoring in agriculture-related fields who are enrolled at the Urbana-Champaign campus.

Illinois county Soil and Water Conservation Districts providing natural resource management and conservation education can receive US $39,000 - US $500,000 for administrative and operational expenses. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Partners for Conservation program supports districts’ soil and water conservation work, which may benefit agricultural education efforts in Illinois through technical assistance and outreach.

Schools, colleges, and other educational programs focused on production agriculture in Illinois and neighboring Missouri counties can seek project or program support to engage students in agricultural education, innovation, and workforce development. The Community Foundation of the Quincy Area offers up to US $5,000 for initiatives that advance productive, efficient, and safe agriculture.

College students in Illinois pursuing agricultural education can receive $2,000 toward tuition and costs through this scholarship, if they are DeKalb County Farm Bureau members or dependents. With a mission to broaden awareness of agriculture, DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation supports sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled at accredited four-year in-state colleges.

Illinois college sophomores, juniors, and seniors pursuing agriculture-related degrees can receive US $1,200 toward tuition and college costs through this scholarship. DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture provides funding to individual members or dependents of continual members enrolled at accredited four-year institutions, supporting students preparing for careers in agriculture and related fields.

Illinois college students majoring in Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois can receive scholarship support for agricultural education costs. Grants from DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture provide a US $2,000 Raymond & Frances Katz Ag Scholarship annually to eligible Farm Bureau members or their dependents who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors.