Champaign County Farm Bureau

Harvest Yields Positive Relationships with Legislators

Bringing agriculture to the attention of lawmakers while providing elected officials with an up-close view of agriculture, the Champaign County Farm Bureau is offering harvest visits to numerous locally elected officials. Complete with a combine ride with a local farmer and possible elevator visit, elected officials get the perfect view of a Champaign County harvest, while Farm Bureau members build relationships with local legislators.

Representative Naomi Jakobsson (D, Champaign ) was the first of many officials to take part in this year’s program. Representative Jakobsson spent the afternoon with Champaign County farmer, Jeff Fisher as he harvested corn just north of Tolono. Representative Jakobsson enjoyed her break from Springfield while seeing first hand our State’s largest and most crucial industry at work.

Also participating in the program was State Senator Michael Frerichs (D, Gifford). Senator Frerichs spent an early fall morning harvesting corn with

Jeff Place

near Homer. The Senator discussed local and state-wide issues effecting agriculture as well as agriculture’s role in the state economy and current trends in farming. Frerichs, a Champaign County native, said it had been many years since he actively participated in harvest and was thankful for the opportunity provided by the Farm Bureau.

Fisher and Place both serve on the Champaign County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and believe this is a great opportunity to network with area legislators. “It’s always great to meet with law makers and express your feelings on issues or share a bit about agriculture with them. That’s why this program is so great. We get to share a piece our world with our elected officials and hopefully give them a more clear perspective on agriculture when they return to Springfield ” said Fisher.

Frerichs and Jakobsson were the first of many locally elected officials to take part in this year’s harvest visits; multiple Champaign County Board members and city officials will participate as harvest progresses in the coming weeks.