2009 Accomplishments

Stopped Anti-Farm-Animal Legislation – Kept bills banning tail docking and gestation pens from ever reaching the debate floor of the Illinois General Assembly.

Gave Flu a Shot in the Arm – Created a website, used online social networks, made calls, sent emails, and wrote letters encouraging the media to call it “H1N1.”

Protected Illinois Livestock from Nuisance Lawsuits – Provided funding and publicity that halted a landmark, nuisance case against a farmer trying to expand his pork operation.

Spoke Out Against New York & Hollywood – Publicly corrected the half-truths about modern agriculture generated by the New York Times, Time Magazine, and the movie, Food, Inc.

Put Farmers Center Stage in the Livestock Debate – Initiated the Conversations on Animal Care program to help farmers tell their story to consumers and the media.

Took Walmart to the Farm – Hosted farm tours to show representatives from the nation’s largest retailer how farmers manage animal care and farm sustainability.

Worked Towards Common-Sense Regulations – Submitted comments on 15 environmental regulatory issues that may impact farming practices.

Encouraged Lawmakers to Release Ag Funding – Worked successfully to release funds for approved state budget items for Illinois Department of Agriculture, Extension, and other programs.

Tackled Lack of Convergence – Was appointed to CFTC Convergence Subcommittee to help identify causes and solutions to poor cash-futures convergence in commodity markets.

Offered Free Farm Bill Tools – Used local meetings and websites to help nearly 30,000 farmers identify Farm Bill components, including ACRE, which may impact their farms.

Petitioned to Keep Family in Family Farms – Organized a petition with more than 500 farmer signatures, asking to repeal the federal estate tax, which can financially cripple family farms.

Help Farmers Keep CO-OP Patronage – Explained to legislators how rural communities benefit from the shared profits of cooperatives.

Spoke to Ag Companies About Farmers’ Bottom Lines – Used IFB’s Profitability Advisory Team to emphasize the challenging economic conditions farmers face from escalating input costs.

Promoted Locally Grown Foods – Joined the Illinois Local Food and Farm Task Force to expand farm markets and create new opportunities for small farmers.

Introduced Urban Decision-Makers to the Farm – Created a one-of-a-kind Rural-Urban Policy Exchange program that let 100 rural and urban community leaders “walk in each other’s shoes.”

Worked to Protect Crops & Vehicles from Deer – Made recommendations to Deer Management Tasks Force and helped ensure that the full number of 20,000 non-resident deer archery permits were issued.

Made 181 Contacts and Meetings with Ag and Food Businesses – Shared farmers’ views on animal welfare standards, the sustainability of modern

Worked to Stop Cap-and-Trade – Formed a statewide coalition, spearheaded a rally, took farmers’ story to local and regional news media, and aggressively lobbied against climate change legislation that could harm Illinois agriculture.

Lobbied for National Energy Plan – Put forward a nationwide, comprehensive energy plan, which invests in renewable fuels and energy efficiency.

Worked Towards a Local Energy Plan – Served on a working group for Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, helping to shape the next regional steps.

Strived for Consistent Wind Mill Taxing – Worked with state and county agencies to create guidelines for assessing wind turbines, farmland, and unimproved property.

Promoted Ethanol to Food Companies – Met with food companies to discuss the reasons for high food prices and reduce the blame placed on ethanol for increases in food costs.

Defeated a Costly Emission Law – Stopped legislation that ignored improving air quality (thanks to renewable fuels) and would adopt California’s Low Emissions Vehicle mandates.

Made Trucking and Road Access Easier for Farmers – Helped pass legislation that created a uniform 80,000-pound weight limit for trucks.

Kept Farmers in the Know – Used local seminars, websites, newspapers, and thousands of handouts to tell farmers about changing trucking regulations.

Made Sure Livestock “Trailed” Behind Safely – Created a video about livestock trailer safety and gave away 1,500 free copies.