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Illinois specialty growers voice requests for 2023 Farm Bill

Specialty crop growers, food banks and farmers market directors would like to see more support for local products in the 2023 Farm Bill.

The Illinois Farm Bureau hosted a farm bill listening session during the Everything Local Conference in Springfield, Illinois this week.

During the session, Cindy Jackson with FarmFED Cooperative in Mt. Pulaski said would like to see infrastructure funding toward processing and distribution of local products.

“We have a wonderful system in place for commodities. Now it is time to work on the other side and have that kind of a system for fresh produce that ends up as fresh food on our family’s table at night.”

Other attendees mentioned more support for beginning farmers and ranchers, better specialty crop insurance options and support for food assistance programs at the local level.

Adam Nielson with Illinois Farm Bureau tells Brownfield this is becoming an increasingly important area of ag policy.

“This is a part of the industry that is getting a lot of attention. Consumers are spending more time thinking about where they want to buy food from and thinking about local production.”

Nielson says getting input on all areas of agriculture production is important so IFB can be a voice for all of its members during farm bill negotiations.