Agriculture program
The Forest Preserve District of Will County allows interim agricultural use for row-crop or hay farming when it is compatible with and beneficial to Forest Preserve goals.
Active farming helps manage weeds and maintain farmland in a condition that supports future ecological restoration and development. The Agriculture Program follows principles of regenerative agriculture and promotes responsible land stewardship across District properties.
Regenerative agriculture goals
Farm Licenses incorporate regenerative agriculture practices designed to:
- Improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and increase organic matterthroughcontinuous cover and conservation farming methods.
- Increasebiologicaldiversity within the soiland promote long-termsoil health.
- Improvewater qualitythrough responsiblenutrient management,reducedpesticide use, and decreasedrunoff and erosion.
- Provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife through permanent vegetation areas such as buffers, access areas and grassed waterways.
Organic and conventional farm leases
The Agriculture Program includes both organic and conventional Farm Leases. Organic leases require farmland to transition to Certified Organic production under the standards of the National Organic Program (NOP). These leases also include the installation and maintenance of buffer and prairie strips composed of native vegetation.
Bid opportunities
Farm Leases are awarded through the District’s FPDWC Bid Program and typically have terms ranging from three to six years. Individuals interested in future bid opportunities may sign up to receive bid notification e-mails.
Hay management
In addition to Row Crop Leases, the Forest Preserve District of Will County also awards Hay lease agreements as an alternative interim land-use.
Hay management is used at many preserves to maintain open grassland habitat by controlling invasive species and woody vegetation. Some hay management sites include seasonal cutting restrictions to allow grassland nesting birds to breed and the young birds to fledge.
The Forest Preserve District of Will County allows interim agricultural use for row-crop or hay farming when it is compatible with and beneficial to Forest Preserve goals.
Active farming helps manage weeds and maintain farmland in a condition that supports future ecological restoration and development. The Agriculture Program follows principles of regenerative agriculture and promotes responsible land stewardship across District properties.
Regenerative agriculture goals
Farm Licenses incorporate regenerative agriculture practices designed to:
- Improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and increase organic matterthroughcontinuous cover and conservation farming methods.
- Increasebiologicaldiversity within the soiland promote long-termsoil health.
- Improvewater qualitythrough responsiblenutrient management,reducedpesticide use, and decreasedrunoff and erosion.
- Provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife through permanent vegetation areas such as buffers, access areas and grassed waterways.
Organic and conventional farm leases
The Agriculture Program includes both organic and conventional Farm Leases. Organic leases require farmland to transition to Certified Organic production under the standards of the National Organic Program (NOP). These leases also include the installation and maintenance of buffer and prairie strips composed of native vegetation.
Bid opportunities
Farm Leases are awarded through the District’s FPDWC Bid Program and typically have terms ranging from three to six years. Individuals interested in future bid opportunities may sign up to receive bid notification e-mails.
Hay management
In addition to Row Crop Leases, the Forest Preserve District of Will County also awards Hay lease agreements as an alternative interim land-use.
Hay management is used at many preserves to maintain open grassland habitat by controlling invasive species and woody vegetation. Some hay management sites include seasonal cutting restrictions to allow grassland nesting birds to breed and the young birds to fledge.