Ag Awareness Day held

Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) hosted an Agriculture Awareness Day at the Illinois State Capitol on Feb. 18.

Throughout the day, farmers engaged with policymakers on a range of issues including biofuels, estate taxes, crop protection tools and conservation funding.

During the event, farmers had the opportunity to engage with:

• Director Jerry Costello, Illinois Department of Agriculture;

• Leader Tony McCombie, Illinois House Republicans;

• Charlie Meier, Republican Spokesperson, House Ag and Conservation Committee;

• Doris Turner, Chairwoman, Senate Ag Committee; and

• Patrick Joyce, Vice Chairman, Senate Ag Committee.

“When policymakers hear directly from farmers at the state capitol, it provides the opportunity to create real relationships and make real impact on issues,” said Rob Shaffer, District Director and Government Relations Committee Chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA). “At the Ag Awareness Day, we were able to establish new relationships, strengthen current relationships and communicate farmers’ priorities.”

ISG is a voluntarily funded membership organization that is governed by a board of elected soybean producers from across the state. ISG’s primary focus is to work on behalf of soybean producers to ensure sound policy and regulatory decisions are made in Illinois and Washington, D.C.

“We encourage any livestock or row crop farmer, or even agriculture industry folks not directly involved on a farm, to consider joining ISG,” said KJ Johnson, ISA’s Director of Government Relations & Strategy. “Your voice matters and makes a difference.”

“As a farmer who has been actively involved in state and national farmer-boards for several years, I know the time I spend engaging on ag issues with policymakers and regulators is time well-spent,” added Shaffer.

For more information about ISG or to become a member, visit ilsoy.org/illinois-soybean-growers or contact Ashley Barry, Engagement Manager, at ashley.barry@ilsoy.org.

Thanks to ISG’s Corporate Partners, including Farm Credit Illinois, Bayer and ADM, for sponsoring the lunch and cocktail reception at Ag Awareness Day.