Peoria Standard

Sen. Neil Anderson announced the distribution of $525,000 for specialty crop growers in a Sept. 22 Facebook post, stating, "The IDOA partnered with an external review committee to select the funding recipients."

"To support the state's specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will distribute nearly $525,000 over the next three years through the 2024 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program," said Anderson, State Senator, according to Facebook. "The IDOA partnered with an external review committee to select the funding recipients. Priority was given to applications focused on educational outreach in socially disadvantaged communities, as well as research projects conducted through public schools and universities!"

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), the Specialty Crop Grant Program focuses these funds on projects that enhance food safety; improve compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act; increase child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; protect and improve pollinator health; improve pest and disease control; improve food access for veterans and underserved communities; improve efficiency and reduce costs of distribution systems; and develop new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops.

Screenshot of Sen. Neil Anderson's Sept. 22 Facebook post | State Senator Neil Anderson's Facebook page

For 2025-2027, grants were awarded to multiple nonprofit recipients. Elawa Farm Foundation received $65,826 to provide accessible specialty crop education for youth and adults in Lake County. Freeport Student Garden was granted $43,047.76 to transition from conventional field cucumber and tomato production to high tunnel production. Fuller Park Community Development’s Eden Place Farm will create a fresh food market available five days a week to Fuller Park, Bronzeville, and New City residents with $56,160 in funding. Gardeneers school garden and farm programs will increase knowledge, access, and consumption of specialty crops in Chicago for 3,500 elementary and high school students with a grant of $41,965.

The recipient list also includes:
- Illinois Specialty Growers Association: $115,000 to offer educational programs through the Illinois Specialty Crop Conference, virtual education, and workshops.
- Southern Illinois University: $67,140 to develop technologies for UV-assisted washing and surface drying of fresh produce to help small, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmers in the state improve food safety.
- University of Illinois researchers: $64,679 to develop a rapid method for agricultural water testing for small specialty crop growers and beginning farmers in the state.

Senator Anderson has served the people of the 47th District since 2015. He grew up in the Quad City area and worked in his family business installing floors before joining the University of Nebraska football team. After earning his paramedic license, he joined the Moline Fire Department where he continues to work.