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 The funds being released from the fiscal year 2018 budget will
fund soil & water districts, county fairs and agriculture
societies, and the University of Illinois Extension services.
“These three entities provide services that are vital for the
future of Illinois agriculture,” Rauner said. “From protecting
our farmland for future generations to fostering agriculture
careers and educating consumers, these organizations support
Illinois agriculture, the backbone of our state’s economy.”
“Funding for these organizations comes at a critical time,” said
Ag Director Raymond Poe. “We must continue to fund these
organizations in order to sustain their key programs. I want to
thank our agricultural partners for commitment to Illinois
agriculture and for their cooperation in these fiscally
challenging times.”
Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which protects our
state’s farmland through strategic conservation efforts, will
receive $6 million. The 97 districts around the state play a
central role in efforts to protect and sustain the viability of
Illinois soil and water resources in order to preserve our
farmland for future generations. The Department will be issuing
more than $61,000 to each of the districts to help fund
operations.
“As a result of this funding, the SWCD’s of Illinois will be
better positioned to support important conservation efforts such
as the statewide Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy,” said Steve
Stierwalt, President of the Association of Illinois Soil and
Water Conservation Districts. “This funding also ensures that
SWCD’s have the resources needed to continue to provide
important technical expertise, assistance, and cost-share
agreements to not only farmers for the installation of
conservation practices such as grassed waterways, filter strips,
and cover crops – but also urban, suburban, and other rural
landowners.”
More than $54,000 will be sent to each of the 92
county fairs across the state. It will help operations at the
fairs and may be used to support critical facility
rehabilitation needs. Illinois county fairs are economic drivers
for rural Illinois. A study from the University of Illinois
shows county fairs generate more than $90 million annually and
create more than 1,000 jobs each summer.
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In addition to providing family friendly
entertainment, county fairs provide an outlet for our state’s youth
to become involved and engaged in Illinois agriculture.
“County fairs are a big footprint of rural Illinois and a huge part
of the economic strength and morale of each county in Illinois,”
said Gary Hadden with the Morgan County Fair. “We appreciate Gov.
Rauner making these funds available as this will provide a great
boost to local counties across the state to help make necessary
upgrades so they can increase activities. This will bring more
people to their county fairs and with the increase of travel, people
will spend more money to help stimulate the Illinois economy.”
More than 1.5 million Illinois residents take part in programs
offered by the University of Illinois Extension Service. Extension
provides educational assistance in the areas of energy and
environmental stewardship, food safety and security, economic
development and workforce preparedness, family health, financial
security and wellness, and youth development. The Department of
Agriculture will disperse $5 million dollars to assist the
organization with its core mission.
“Conservation is key to being good stewards of the land,” Travis
Stremsterfer said. “Our family has always believed that we should
leave the land in a better condition than when we received it, as a
way to ensure that we are leaving behind an agricultural legacy for
future generations. We have been farming here in Sangamon County
since 1910 and I look forward to passing that tradition down to my
children.”
[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner] |
