[August 08, 2012]
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On Tuesday, Illinois
congressman Aaron Schock hosted an agriculture summit in Lincoln.
Joining Schock in a discussion of ag issues was the Honorable Frank
Lucas, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
The event that began at 7 a.m. attracted strong interest,
packing the Lincoln Center at Lincoln College. Guests traveled from a wide
circle of central Illinois to attend.
In addition to the speakers, the expo portion of the event provided
a diversity of information pertinent to farming in central Illinois.
Numerous state and federal agencies were on hand to explain their
role in supporting agriculture. Groups such as the Urban Committee
of the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation
Districts, Illinois SBDC International Trade Center, U.S. Commercial
Service, and others were present to explain a diversity of
support services available, such as recommended land conservation
practices, crop insurance, product research, financial assistance
and export services.
There were also private businesses offering new crop opportunities,
industry-based group health insurance and equipment dealers.
The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce coordinated the
event.
Pictures by Jan Youngquist |
The
research branch of the USDA, the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, located in nearby Peoria, seeks solutions to
agriculture-related food and product issues, even such things are
reducing hog farm odor. NCAUR also serves crossover fields such as
the EPA and FDA.
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Every
seat was filled once the three-hour presentation by various speakers
began.
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After the speakers were finished, the audience
engaged in a one-hour Q-and-A with Schock.
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