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Authorizing a Contract with University of Illinois Extension to Provide Farm Business Training Services for Kane County Food Growers
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WHEREAS, Kane County Development and Community Services is seeking to authorize a contract with University of Illinois Extension to provide training & technical assistance for local food producing farm operations; and
WHEREAS, The Growing for Kane Health Impact Assessment called for the offering of “technical assistance; financial incentives and agreements with property owners to grow fresh produce, meats, and dairy for both the regional market, local consumption and to reach the vulnerable and underserved population”; and
WHEREAS, Through various program surveys and evaluations Kane County farmers have expressed a need for training services that address business plan development, sales and marketing, and other topics related to running a food and farm business; and
WHEREAS, Kane County was awarded a 3-year Urban Agriculture Innovative Production program grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the amount of $299,185 to launch a pilot farmer training program; and
WHEREAS, University of Illinois Extension has successfully operated a Master Urban Farmer Training Program in Cook County since 2016 and submitted a proposal that would extend training services to Kane County farmers; and
WHEREAS, The Kane County Development and Community Services Department assembled a review panel of County staff which, after reviewing and scoring the consultant’s proposal, determined that it met and exceeded the selection criteria established in accordance with Purchasing Department guidelines; and
WHEREAS, University of Illinois Extension has submitted a cost proposal in the amount of $219,253 and, with the applicant’s consent, Kane County retains the option of amending said proposal’s scope of services as needed, with the total contract amount not to exceed $299,185; and
WHEREAS, the total contract with University of Illinois Extension for program services paid through USDA grant funds is not to exceed $141,120 in FY 2024 and a total of $299,185 by September 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Kane County Board that the Kane County Board Chairman is hereby authorized to execute a contract with University of Illinois Extension, not to exceed $299,185 (Two Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand One Hundred Eighty-Five Dollars), in the form it is attached in as Exhibits A & B.
Line Item: 435.690.025.50150
Line Item Description: Contractual / Consulting Services
Was Personnel/Item/Service approved in original budget or a subsequent budget revision? Yes
Are funds currently available for this Personnel/Item/Service in the specific line item? Yes
If funds are not currently available in the specified line item, where are the funds available?
N/A
Passed by the Kane County Board on February 27, 2024.
____________________________ ____________________________
John A. Cunningham, MBA, JD, JD Corinne M. Pierog MA, MBA
Clerk, County Board Chairman, County Board
Kane County, Illinois Kane County, Illinois
Vote: