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 Family farmers from across the state gathered at the Carriage
House Event Center for a day of policy work, presentations by a
diverse group of speakers, socializing and the election of new
board members.
Dr. William Bailey, former Director of the School of Agriculture
at Western Illinois University, spoke about the Trans Pacific
Partnership and what its impact would be on family farmers. Dr.
Bailey illustrated how the TPP was essentially an unknown and
that farmers and consumers would only know what the deal
entailed when it was approved.
During the 1980s under former President Ronald Reagan, Dr.
Bailey was a national role player in the formation of federal
trade agreements and establishing trade structures that
continued to influence agriculture for decades.
Now, Dr. Bailey sees the opposite side of coin, viewing
multinational trade agreements such as the TPP as posing a risk
to America’s farmers, since the promise of increased trade and
increased potential for marketing American commodities may not
materialize - and that the TPP may prove to be more troublesome
than helpful.
This year is Farm Credit Illinois’ 100th birthday and Regional
Vice-President Steve Witges gave a presentation that tracked the
history of Farm Credit to the present day. Witges touched on a
broad range of subjects – from estate planning to navigating
strategies for farm finance.
Illinois State Senator, Kyle McCarter, was also a speaker at the
convention and spoke about the important role of agriculture,
the well-being of rural economies and the current budget
impasse. Sen. McCarter fielded questions from the audience
regarding the Livestock Management Facilities Act, industrial
hemp and numerous questions about politics in Illinois.
Illinois Farmers Union’s insurance partner, Hastings Mutual
Insurance, was represented by Territory Manager, Eric McClaughry
who spoke about the possible insurance risks associated with
drones – a new technology that many farmers are interested
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Rebecca Osland, Policy Associate at the Illinois Stewardship
Alliance (ISA) hosted a presentation about the role the
organization plays in promoting sustainable agriculture,
beginning farmers and local and regional food systems.
National Farmers Union’s Chris Kircher also spoke at the
convention. Members were given an overview of the year’s policy
work, the success of the Beginning Farmers program as well as a
rundown of issues to be dealt with in 2016.
The ILFU Board for 2016 was elected following the policy
adoption. The 2016 board members are:
Don Bauer, Effingham County Lawrence McCloy, Effingham County
Bernard Hammell, Champaign County Lynn Tappendorf, Fayette
County
Jim Francis, Jo Daviess County Dave Ramsay, Sangamon County Alan
Zumbahlen, Clay County
Norbert Brauer and Norman Tingley will continue to serve as
President and Vice- President respectively. Wendel Lutz will
continue his service as Secretary/Treasurer.
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Illinois Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic
well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and
rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy
positions adopted by its membership.
www.illinoisfarmersunion.org
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