ILFU Board 2015: Bernard Hammel, Lynn Tappendorf, Norbert Brauer, Dave Ramsey, Lawrence McCloy, Norman Tingley, Wendel Lutz and Jim Francis.

GMOs, RFS and LMFA big talking points at ILFU Convention

[February 23, 2015]  ALTAMONT - The Renewable Fuels Standard, GMO labeling, aflatoxin testing and changes to the Livestock Management Facilities Act all made the headlines at the Illinois Farmers Union's 61st Annual State Convention held in Altamont on February 7th.

The event saw family farmers from across the state gather at the Carriage House Event Center for a day of policy work, interesting talks and presentations, socializing and the election of new board members.

National Farmers Union vice-president, Don Teske, spoke about the value of family farmers, the history of farmers union in Illinois and the way family farmers throughout the nation are working together for family agriculture.

Former Iowa Farmers Union president, Chris Peterson, spoke about animal stewardship and how the fate of family farmers is tied directly to that of the animals they raise. Peterson also spoke about alternative markets for sustainably-raised hogs and beef.

Woody Woodruff, (pictured above left with Norbert Brauer) the conservation director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, hosted an interesting presentation about cover crops and their benefit to farmers. He explained how farmers can take advantage of the National Resources Conservation Service's cover crop incentive program to earn some extra income in winter while adding an element of sustainability to their operations.

Dr. Nash Naam, a well-known local surgeon hosted a presentation on American values and the freedoms that Americans enjoy and often take for granted. Dr. Naam spoke about coming to America, raising children here and how different life would have been had he and his family remained in Egypt, where he and his wife were born.

Dr.Jamileh Naddaf, a nutritionist from Effingham, focused her presentation on the benefits of consuming fresh, natural foods and highlighted the benefits of proper nutrition, the role that vitamins and minerals play in the diet and how to manage your diet to avoid illness.

Before the policy meeting and the election of the new board, National Farmers Union general counsel, Dave Velde, reiterated how the Illinois Farmers Union's grass-roots policy ensures that the issues which affect farmers directly are the issues that are worked on in the coming year.

Velde spoke about the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Country of Original Labeling and the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Following the policy discussion, several Special Orders of Business were adopted.

These included:

* ILFU supports GMO labeling on National and State level. ILFU believes consumers should have the right to choose

* ILFU opposes legislation that might lead to the formation of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP will have a negative impact on family farmers particularly in regards to a competitive marketplace and access to information

* ILFU opposes the EPA backsliding on current RFS Mandates. ILFU believes ethanol and its by-products have proven their value to society

* ILFU supports establishing research for the purpose of conserving and protecting pollinators. ILFU believes pollinators are essential to a viable food supply

* ILFU seeks legislation that would protect landowner rights by amending the use of expedited review procedures for new large, complex, high voltage electric service lines

New resolutions for 2015 include:

* ILFU urges the corn check-off board to fund research for standardized and more reliable aflatoxin tests

* ILFU urges changes to the LMFA that support local control, explore setback regulations and regulate CAFO size

The ILFU Board for 2015 was elected following the policy adoption. The 2015 board members are:

John Little, Champaign/Vermillion County
Lawrence McCloy, Effingham/Fayette County
Bernard Hammell, Champaign/Vermillion County
Lynn Tappendorf, Effingham/Fayette County
Jim Francis, Jo Daviess County
Dave Ramsay, Sangamon County
Alan Zumbahlen, Clay County

[Illinois Farmers Union]