title
PROPOSED CONTRACT
Department(s): Department of Resource Management
Vendor: Smits Farms, Inc., Chicago Heights, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the "Forest Preserves") to enter into and execute
Good(s) or Service(s): Organic row crop farming at 1001 N. Glenwood Dyer Rd., Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Contract Value: N/A
Contract Period: 1/1/2026 - 12/31/2026, with three (3) one-year extension options to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent or their designee
Estimated Fiscal Impact: Revenue generation of up to $15,100.00 over four (4) years
Accounts: Corporate Land Use Fees 51001.411366 (revenue generating)
Contract Number(s): #74000016419 issued under Project #25RM 103-R
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval.
District(s): 5
Summary: The Forest Preserves has solicited a contract for row crop production at select sites which were historically used for agricultural purposes prior to acquisition by the Forest Preserves, and as such, do not exist in an ecologically natural state. Farmers will have use of the property for seeding one or more row crops including wheat, oats, soybeans, and/or other crops subject to the review and written approval of the Forest Preserves' Director of the Department of Resource Management. This practice allows the Forest Preserves to generate revenue, while at the same time preventing invasive plant species from overtaking fallow land. It is the Forest Preserves' intention to restore fallow land as capacity and funding allows, and these interim farming practices are a proven method to keep lands in a more manageable condition until a restoration project can take place, thereby reducing future restoration costs. The contract term for row crop farming is a period of one (1) year, with three (3) one-year mutual renewal options to be exercised by the General Superintendent or th...
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