State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias with Roger Cooper, a farmer who participates in the Cultivate Illinois low-interest loan program.

Farming plays a vital role to Illinois’ economy. More than 76,000 farms cover 80 percent of the state, employ nearly one million people and generate more than $9 billion annually.

Cultivate Illinois gives farmers and agriculture professionals access to capital to start or enhance their operations with the help of low-interest rate loans. Farmers experiencing economic hardship due to drought or other natural disaster also are eligible to receive Cultivate Illinois loans while they wait for insurance settlements or federal aid.

With nearly $800 million currently invested in annual, long-term and agriculture loans to farmers, the Treasurer's Cultivate Illinois program is the largest state-backed deposit program in the nation. The loans are used to purchase equipment or for costs related to traditional crop production and alternative agriculture activities.

Before a Cultivate Illinois loan is approved by the Treasurer’s Office, a participating bank or other financial institution must first determine if it will issue the loan to the borrower.

The Treasurer’s Office offers five types of Cultivate Illinois loans:
Annual Operating Loans
Long-Term Loans
Alternative Ag Loans
Storm and Drought Loans
Green Energy

Cultivate Illinois is one of three types of deposit programs operated by the Treasurer’s Office. Under state law, the Treasurer’s Office has the authority to deposit state money at a reduced rate of interest in local financial institutions that issue loans at below-market rates for specific projects and programs.