State Representative Tim Butler addresses Ag community - Logan County economic strengths in agriculture, location and infrastructure access

 

[April 01, 2022] 

On March 31, the Logan County Farm Bureau hosted the Ag Scholarship Breakfast at the American Legion.

Jim Drew of the Logan County Farm Bureau welcomed everyone and said how nice it was [for the awarding of scholarships] to be back in person this year.

After a delicious breakfast, Logan County Farm Bureau President Drew Martin introduced keynote speaker Illinois State Representative Tim Butler. Butler was born and raised in Peoria and is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University. Butler is a former staffer for U.S. Representative Rodney Davis and for U.S. Representative Ray LaHood. Butler has also served on U.S. House Committee on Education.

As a State Representative for Logan County, Tim Butler has been very supportive of the county and its assets.
 

To begin his address, Butler said the Farm Bureau is a wonderful institution.

When Representative Butler was appointed to the House of Representatives, the Farm Bureau was one of the first places he called. The Farm Bureau is one of the best advocacy organizations not just in Illinois but in the country.

As someone who represents some of the best agricultural lands in the country, Butler is glad to have the Farm Bureau’s support.

Because of the Farm Bureau’s advocacy, work, Butler said the Farm Bureau has many friends in the General Assembly and in Congress. He thanked the Farm Bureau for what they do to look out for the interest of agriculture and farmers across this country.

Next, Butler congratulated the scholarship winners. He said it is a great program the Logan County Farm Bureau puts on to give out $25,000 today. Butler congratulated the scholarship winners telling them to use the money well and stay in Illinois. Educating our youth, especially in agriculture is something Butler said is so important. Agriculture is so much more than sitting on a combine. Agriculture drives the economy in the state of Illinois. So many jobs come out of agriculture including trucking jobs and IT jobs.

 

Butler thanked the Logan County Farm Bureau for supporting these students getting scholarships. They are making sure we have good kids getting into agriculture, then coming back and doing good things in the industry.

The greatest farmlands in the world surround us here in Central Illinois. Therefore, Butler said it is important that that we as central Illinoisans get that message out to the rest of the state and to the world.

Butler said the Farm Bureau has one of the best programs for educating legislators especially legislators who have not grown up around agriculture. It is important to make them know what agriculture is all about.

There is an ‘Adopt a legislator’ program. This area adopted Senator Laura Fine from the North Shore of Chicago. Butler said Senator Fine has come to the county, has been in combines here and has gone out in the field.

At one point, Fine introduced a leaf blower ban for gas powered leaf blowers. Butler said when Fine came to a Farm Bureau event, she was surrounded by Logan County people who talked to her about the ban. Butler said that is a good way to educate people who may have a different view of the world when it comes to legislation introduced.

Programs like the adopt a legislator program are good. Butler said the program educates those who may not what agriculture and rural life is all about. It helps those like Butler who do know what agriculture is about to educate these legislators on agricultural issues.
 

This year redistricting is being done because state lines were redrawn after the Census. Logan County will be in a district with Tazewell County and parts of McLean and Sangamon County.

Unfortunately, Butler said his district changed significantly. Therefore, after the election, he will no longer be serving Logan County. Butler said that hurts him because he loves this county. He said it has been a real honor to represent the county.

To Butler, once you represent a county, you always represent it. Though he will not be representing Logan County, Butler said the county can always count on him. If anyone needs help on something, Butler will still be happy to help. The county will always have a friend in him.

With redistricting, Butler said there is an open seat for the 87th District, which covers Logan County. Across the state Butler said many will be running for new districts, and this fall’s election is important.

The Farm Bureau’s importance was evident in the last election with the Governor’s progressive income tax. In that election, the Farm Bureau was one of the main drivers in beating the progressive income tax. People here can make a difference at the polls. Butler said it is important to do research and find out who the candidates are for the State House of Representatives, the County Board and Governor.

Again, Butler said he loves Logan County. With his colleagues, Butler gives Logan County as an example of good things going on in the state. The county has had some tough times but has soldiered on.

Looking at what the county does in agriculture and decisions made to bring things to town, Butler said many good things are happening.

Some may not agree with decisions for bringing certain businesses in, but Butler said they have helped the county. For example, Cresco has brought several hundred jobs to Lincoln.

With the decisions made for wind and solar, Butler said Logan County has become a leader in alternative energy. He encouraged everyone to look to the future and the way the county is going to go. Butler feels the Farm Bureau can help charter the future.

Although it has hurt to see places close, Butler said there are many good opportunities. The county sits at the center of the state and has a great transportation network. Butler said Logan County has the best farmland in the country.

As Butler has seen redevelopment in the square, he said that is a cool thing. Butler said we need to be advocates, have a loud voice and make sure we are driving Logan County forward. He thanked everyone for allowing him to share a few words and for the support of the county.

After Butler was done speaking, Martin thanked Senator Sally Turner for her support, too. He said Senator Turner is another good advocate for agriculture.
 

The breakfast focusing on scholarships was previously coordinated by the Ag Committee of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce. Logan County Farm Bureau took over the responsibility in 2019. Due to Covid-19 it was the first year back in person since 2019.

This year, five scholarship recipients were named at the breakfast with a total of $25,000 in scholarships awarded through Ag community support.

The morning's events began with an invocation by Dave Opperman of the Logan County Farm Bureau. Opperman said we have many things to be thankful for. Our families, farms, food, and fellowship are all blessings from God. He prayed that God would grant guidance, safety, wisdom and good weather in the upcoming planting season. He then thanked God for the food prepared for us.

Jim Drew thanked Lincoln Memorial hospital for sponsoring the breakfast every year. He said all the sponsors and all their help make this breakfast possible. Drew presented a plaque to Abbie Miller from the Farm Bureau for her dedication and support of the Ag breakfast. For many years, Miller has helped Drew set up the PowerPoint.

Some of the candidates running in upcoming elections were also present and introduced. These included current Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers and 11th District Circuit Judge Jonathan Wright. Also running for 11th District Circuit Judge is Amy McFarland. Running for 87th District State Representative are Mary Burress and Bill Hauter.
 

After Martin thanked everyone for coming, he thanked the agricultural teachers for mentoring these kids through their education. Their teachers are helping them down the path to continue toward agriculture.

Agriculture is the backbone of the county. Martin said just looking around the room show many businesses that represent some tie to agriculture.

The Logan County Farm Bureau is very excited and proud of the scholarship program. For Martin and other Farm Bureau members, it means a lot to help the next generation continue into agriculture. Martin said we always need more people coming in. Like Butler had said, there is more [to agriculture] than just driving a tractor. There are communications jobs, seed jobs, and endless amounts of other jobs.

It is the fifth year the Farm Bureau has been sponsoring the scholarship program. As of today, Martin said $102,500 has been awarded in scholarships to students from Logan County. In 2018, the total amount of scholarships awarded was $16,000. In 2019, the amount was $21,000. In 2020, the amount was $18,000. In 2021, the amount was $22,500. For 2022, they are awarding $25,000 in scholarships.

This year there were five scholarship recipients who will be majoring in some facet of agricultural education. Out of the $25,000 awarded in scholarships, each recipient received $5,000.
 

To show the Farm Bureau’s gratitude, plaques were presented to the planter sponsors who gave more than $1,000 towards the breakfast. These sponsors included Ag-Land FS, AHW, Apex BASF, Best Friends Animal Hospital, Central Illinois AG, Country Financial, Frontier/ Mount Carroll Mutual insurance and Graue Inc. Additional planter sponsors were Garbrandt, Hopedale and Lincoln AG; Lincoln Memorial Hospital; Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders, and Pioneer.

These sponsors and many others help make this wonderful scholarship program possible.

[Angela Reiners]