BY TAMMIE SOUP
Illinois Farm Bureau will solicit members to be part of a new Farm Bill Working Group charged with examining all the titles in the legislation to consider areas for improvement.
As reauthorization of the next farm bill could happen within the next year, the group will focus on the following farm bill.
“The Farm Bill Working Group will be a great opportunity for our grassroots process to succeed, with a diverse group of farmers delivering for Illinois agriculture,” IFB President Brian Duncan said. “It will allow Illinois Farm Bureau members to identify what is working and what is not working in the farm bill. The goal is to be prepared with recommendations when the next farm bill is up for re-authorization.”
The working group may provide policy submittals through IFB’s resolutions process.
Applications for the group will open June 16, and members who are interested can apply through their county Farm Bureaus. Duncan will appoint the members, with the group tentatively having its first meeting by late summer.
The number of participants will be chosen based on issue and area expertise. The goal is to represent Illinois’ diverse agricultural industry.
As work by the group gets underway, subcommittees will be developed and participants will be able to incorporate outside experts in their discussions and analysis. The members will determine how often they meet, with no pre-determined completion date.
The Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors approved establishment of the working group at its May meeting.
Those who wish to apply must be an active Farm Bureau member and should contact their local county Farm Bureau for additional details.
Content for this story was provided by FarmWeekNow.com.