Agribusiness giant Archer-Daniels-Midland is partnering with a national nonprofit to support farm resiliency in Illinois and five other Midwest states.
The funding comes as Illinois farmers continue to navigate the economic impacts of the Trump administration’s tariffs. Soybeans farmers in particular have seen negative impacts on their profits amid rising costs for fertilizer, seed, pesticides and equipment, according to the Illinois Soybean Association.
“This partnership is designed around having support that will allow farmers to be that much more resilient in a variety of ways,” American Farmland Trust President and CEO John Piotti said.
ADM is investing half a million dollars in a program with American Farmland Trust, a nonprofit focused on protecting farmland. The initiative aims to help farmers coordinate succession planning, provide tools to improve soil health and give financial assistance.
“We’re in a situation where approximately 300 million acres of America’s farmland is gonna be in transition over the next decade or so due simply to demographic issues,” Piotti said.
The funding is crucial to keeping farmland in use, he added.
“In Illinois alone, over 20% of the farmers are 65 years of age or older,” Piotti said, “and as you know, these states have some of the best farmland in the country if not the world.”
The average age of farmers in Illinois is 58, according to Illinois Extension.
ADM’s investment will also support grants that go toward everything from business planning to buying new land, Piotti said.
“It’s purposefully meant to be very flexible to fill gaps where it might be difficult to obtain funding elsewhere.”
AFT will lead engagement efforts with farmers and provide hands-on support.
Farmers in Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Kentucky will also receive support from the new partnership, according to a press release.
The investment is part of ADM’s Farm Forward Initiative, the company’s long-term commitment to supporting American farmers.