The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will accept sealed bids for about 40 agriculture lease contracts for crop years 2023-2026.  The IDNR utilizes these agriculture leases as a tool to support wildlife populations and recreational opportunities and leases developed under this program will help and build ecological sound agriculture practices such as soil health, minimizing soil erosion, improving water quality, and reducing chemical impacts to benefit wildlife populations.

IDNR sites with leases open for bid will be publicly announced on BidBuy, the State of Illinois’ eProcurement System.  A non-mandatory vendor conference will be conducted for each lease with details included. All bidders must register with BidBuy to be eligible to enter into a contract with the state and you can do so at www.bidbuy.illinois.gov/bso. When asked for a code, the codes are as follows: 944-00 for farming and ranching, 944-48 for hay farming, 944-34 for corn farming, 944-76 for soybean farming, and 944-38 for crop farming NEC and grain farming NEC. 

Once registered, bidders will be notified by email when any lease openings are posted and bidders will need to download and print the necessary forms prior the vending conference.  For more information visit https://bit.ly/IDNRaglease.