SPRINGFIELD — A Prairie du Rocher company is one 19 recipients of the first Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
Illinois Country Harvest will receive $26,900, a share of nearly $2 million in state funding.
After a two-month grant application process in December and January, the response was overwhelming: 247 applicants submitted more than $23.5 million in funding requests – or more than 10 times the amount of money available to distribute this year.
Illinois Country Harvest is owned by Jennifer Duensing. She is the fourth generation on the farm. She was able to purchase the property from her grandmother in 2015. Together, they farm 12 acres of land that has been in the family for five generations.
They take pride in growing heirloom grains, vegetables, flowers, herbs, natives and raising heritage animals.
They plan every inch of their land, to create a diverse, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable use for it to be cherished for our generations to come.
They believe in doing things the slow, natural, “old fashioned way”.
Illinois Country Harvest and small-scale grain growers across the state lack access to the necessary infrastructure and equipment to mill and process grains.
However, with $26,900 in funds, Duensing will be able to purchase a commercial grain cleaner, commercial grain mill and dust hood and a moisture tester to complete the entire process of a small-scale seed to artisan flour operation. They will also be able to provide moisture testing, cleaning and milling processes and educational resources for other small farmers.