The Illinois Department of Agriculture is in search of families or individuals who want to start their own gardens.

The "Plant a Row for the Hungry" program offers them the opportunity to grow vegetables, flowers or perennials.

Each plot costs $20 and tilling services are offered for $10. Participants will receive the tools, water and compost free of charge.

The program is a public service program that aims to make organic gardening accessible. One hundred plots at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand are designated for organic gardening and another 100 for non-organic gardening.

All gardeners accepted will be invited to a kickoff meeting in early March, and the garden will officially open March 30.

The application can be found here. (https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Consumers/CommunityGarden/Documents/gardenapplication.pdf)