 As part of her office's "Agri-Tourism Day" at the Illinois State
Fair in Springfield, Topinka presented agriculture leaders from
throughout the state with proclamations celebrating their
achievements and continuing dedication. Topinka specifically
congratulated Gail and David Sasse from Gail's Pumpkin Patch.
Gail's Pumpkin Patch currently produces over 50 varieties of
pumpkins, gourds and squash.
"It is incredible to have Gail's Pumpkin Patch continue to
support agriculture through events year after year," Topinka said.
"Gail's Pumpkin Patch educates the public and promotes tourism for
our state, and I thank the many people who work so hard to make it
happen."
Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Illinois in terms of
economic impact, contributing more than $8.85 billion to the state's
economy annually. The state's 72,500 farms use 75 percent of the
land in Illinois, including some of the most fertile soil in the
world. Agri-tourists promote agriculture and tourism through a wide
range of activities, including picking farm products, riding horses,
learning about wine and cheese-making, and shopping for local and
regional produce or handcrafted gifts.
___
Gail's Pumpkin Patch:
http://www.gailspumpkinpatch.com/
[Text from file received from the
Illinois comptroller's office] |
