How to bid on the Woodyard State Area farm lease for Illinois DNR

What Illinois is leasing

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids for agricultural use of about 102.60 acres of state-owned land near Harry “Babe” Woodyard State Natural Area in Vermilion County. The lease covers the 2027 crop year.

The state estimates an annual payment of $16,290, based on $165 per acre. The solicitation also estimates annual value to the vendor at $101,748.42. Review the Invitation for Bid for the specific acreage and location details.

Deadline and submission timing

Bids are due November 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. Submit before the deadline and follow the submission directions in the bid documents.

Who this opportunity may suit

This lease may suit agricultural businesses or farm operators interested in farming state-owned land for a crop year. Vendors should assess the acreage, location, estimated payment, and lease terms in the Invitation for Bid before deciding whether to respond.

How to access and respond

Open the bid’s detail page through the provided “View original source” access step. The page is public and does not require sign-in to view; the documents, including the Invitation for Bid, are listed there.

To submit an electronic quote, register a free vendor account on BidBuy. If not submitting electronically, follow the submission directions stated in the bid.

Prepare a careful bid

Read the full Invitation for Bid, including the acreage and location information, lease terms, and submission instructions. Check that your proposed price uses the unit-cost basis described in the solicitation.

Confirm that your bid is complete, follows the stated format and delivery method, and can be submitted before the deadline. Keep a copy of your submission and any confirmation you receive.