From Fruits and Crops to the Legislative Branch
As I entered my final semester of undergrad, a professor of mine made a few calls and landed me an internship. After class several times a week, I assisted with constituent services for Illinois State Senator John Maitland. I vividly remember working on arrangements for an eighth-grade field trip to Springfield.
Maitland, a native of Normal, served in the Illinois Senate from 1979 until 2002. Immediately prior to his tenure in the Senate, Maitland served as then-president of the McLean County Farm Bureau. Maitland is among a select class of legislators, those who are also farmers.
A seatmate of his, Senator Todd Sieben of Geneseo served in the Senate from 1993 until 2008. Like Maitland, Sieben was also a farmer. In addition to serving as Senator, he was co-owner and vice-president of Sieben Hybrids, a family seed business.
Today, Senator Patrick Joyce of Kankakee is a fourth-generation farmer and a 19-year member of the Kankakee County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Joining him in the select class of legislators who are also farmers are Representatives Jason Bunting, Brad Fritts, Brad Halbrook, Norine Hammond, Charles Meier, Chris Miller, Wayne Rosenthal, Dan Swanson, and Blaine Wilhour.
Illinois defines agricultural production as the commercial production of crops, livestock, and aquatic products (505 ILCS 5/3.01). The statute further defines crops, livestock, and aquatic products to include hay, grain, fruit, vegetables, floriculture, horticulture, orchards, greenhouses, and the raising and care of poultry, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, beef cattle, pony and horse production, etc. (505 ILCS 5.3.02).
Stepping away from the technical jargon, agriculture is the growing, raising, and harvesting of crops and animals. Crops can include anything from corn and soybeans to blueberries, tomatoes, and peppers.
According to the 2024 Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) Economic Contribution Study, conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions for the Institute for Feed Education and Research, Cook County is second among all counties in Illinois in jobs derived from crops, first in jobs derived from livestock and poultry, and first in jobs derived from other agriculture. Overall, Cook County has the highest total jobs derived from agriculture in Illinois at over 110,000, up 3 percent from prior studies.
Agriculture is alive and well in Cook County and is being recognized by Cook County leaders, including County Commissioner Scott Britton and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Cam Davis.
Earlier this year, downstate farm native Britton introduced and carried a resolution recognizing National Agriculture Day and celebrating the contributions of farmers and the farm products they grow and raise. The resolution also highlighted agriculture’s impact on the local community.
Last fall, MWRD Commissioner and local farmer, Cam Davis, introduced Resolution 24-0817 to support urban agriculture and to call for other local units of government to apply for district programs to expand and support urban agriculture opportunities. Urban agriculture has the potential to connect families with fresh, culturally relevant local produce. By encouraging urban agriculture on suitable district property, the district is helping to move local families down the path to food security. Given Farm Bureau’s Urban Agriculture policy, Cook County Farm Bureau actively supported and provided public testimony in support of Resolution 24-0817.
For an association committed to promoting agriculture and expanding agricultural opportunities, there is nothing more exciting than farmers serving in elected positions. There are no others more acutely aware of the issues and topics facing food, farming, and families.