Active Opportunities
Farmer Participation Opportunity
USDA Conservation Innovation Grant, Pending Award
IH RISE is accepting up to 80 farmer Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for a proposed USDA Conservation Innovation Grant focused on industrial hemp production, conservation practices, producer participation, data collection, and regional agricultural infrastructure.
This grant has not yet been awarded. Submitting an MOU documents your interest in participating and helps demonstrate farmer demand within the proposed project area.
Submission Deadline
Completed MOUs must be received by Tonight, by end of day.
Late submissions may not be included in the grant application.
Who May Submit an MOU?
Farmers may be considered if they:
- Have access to at least 20 acres of FSA-registered farmland
- Are interested in participating in an industrial hemp conservation and production project
- Are willing to meet applicable project, reporting, and eligibility requirements if selected
- Submit a completed MOU by the deadline
Priority consideration will be given to farmers with land located:
- Within approximately 75 miles of Mendota, Illinois
- Near practical Illinois River barge access
- Along, or with reasonable access to, a rail route serving Mendota, Illinois
Counties within the 75-mile radius of Mendota:
- Boone
- Bureau
- DeKalb
- DuPage
- Grundy
- Henry
- Kane
- Kendall
- LaSalle
- Lee
- Marshall
- Ogle
- Putnam
- Stark
- Whiteside
- Winnebago
- Woodford
Farmers located outside the approximate 75-mile radius may still submit an MOU if their farmland has a practical transportation or logistics connection to the proposed project.
Applicants outside the 75-mile radius should identify the applicable rail route, barge terminal, river access point, or other relevant transportation connection in their submission. These applications will be reviewed individually based on project logistics, grant requirements, and available capacity.
Submit Your MOU
For the fastest submission, please use the online form below.
Preferred
Complete and Sign the MOU Online
Complete the MOU electronically, sign it online, and submit it directly to IH RISE.
Alternative
Download, Sign, and Upload the MOU
Prefer to complete the document yourself?
- Download the MOU
- Complete and sign it
- Upload the completed document using the form link below
Click here to download the MOU PDF
Upload Your Signed MOU
Final Backup
Submit by Email
If you are unable to use either online form, you may email your completed and signed MOU using the button below. It will automatically fill in the correct recipients, subject line, and message for you.
What Does Signing the MOU Mean?
Signing an MOU indicates your interest in participating if the grant is awarded.
Submitting an MOU:
- Does not create a contract
- Does not obligate you to grow industrial hemp
- Does not guarantee participation
- Does not guarantee funding or payment
- Does not guarantee that the grant will be awarded
- Does not replace any future grower agreement, production contract, or program participation agreement
If the grant is awarded, selected farmers will receive additional information regarding eligibility, acreage, production requirements, conservation practices, data collection, compensation, timelines, and formal participation agreements before making a final commitment.
Application Review and Farmer Selection
IH RISE will review all submitted MOUs.
Potential participants may be asked to provide additional information to verify:
- FSA registration
- Available acreage
- Farm location
- Transportation and logistics access
- Ability to meet project requirements
- Compliance with applicable industrial hemp laws and regulations
- Alignment with the proposed project design
Final participant selection will be made by IH RISE based on grant requirements, project geography, available funding, producer qualifications, acreage needs, logistics, and overall project capacity.
IH RISE reserves the right to determine applicant eligibility and select project participants if the grant is awarded.
Submission of an MOU does not guarantee selection.
Only 80 MOUs Will Be Accepted
IH RISE is accepting a maximum of 80 farmer MOUs for this opportunity, however qualifying farmers who overflow or those submitted after the deadline will flow into the IH RISE Pilot Program Opportunities.
If more qualified MOUs are received than can be accommodated within this grant application, IH RISE will select participants based on factors such as geographic distribution, transportation logistics, project objectives, producer readiness, available acreage, diversity of participating operations, and the overall needs of the project. IH RISE may also consider an applicant's demonstrated commitment to participating in project activities and communications.
Farmers are encouraged to submit as soon as possible and no later than:
Friday, July 24, 2026, 11:00 a.m. Central Time
Learn More in Mendota
Additional information about this project and other IH RISE opportunities will be shared at:
IH RISE Mendota Field Day
August 17, 2026
Farmers, local stakeholders, project partners, and community leaders will have an opportunity to learn more about:
- Industrial hemp production
- Farmer participation opportunities
- Cooperative development
- Conservation practices
- Transportation and processing infrastructure
- Research and data collection
- Future IH RISE programs and funding opportunities
Letters of Support
IH RISE is also seeking letters of support from:
- Farmers and agricultural organizations
- Local governments
- Economic development organizations
- Universities and research institutions
- Conservation partners
- Transportation and infrastructure stakeholders
- Businesses and community organizations
This grant application is one of several opportunities IH RISE is pursuing to support farmers, strengthen rural economies, expand conservation practices, and develop new agricultural markets and infrastructure.
Equal Opportunity
IH RISE is committed to providing equal access and opportunity in its programs and activities.
Applicants will be considered without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Participation remains subject to the eligibility requirements, selection criteria, available capacity, and terms of the applicable grant or program.
Questions or Submission Assistance
Having trouble completing or submitting your MOU?
Email Natalie@ihrise.org before the deadline.