Adopt-A-Legislator® program

About the program

Illinois Farm Bureau developed its Adopt-A-Legislator® program in 2001 with the purpose of building long-term personal relationships between urban state legislators and farmers from across the state.

The goal of the program is to educate urban legislators about agriculture – our state's largest industry – and rural life, while also helping our members better understand the needs and concerns of an urban district.

Legislators are matched with a "downstate" county Farm Bureau (which "adopts" the legislator), and the program kicks off by holding a district visit and a farm visit.

To date, county Farm Bureaus have adopted 73 urban legislators. Almost every legislator in Cook County has joined the program.

The relationships that develop are valued by both the farmers and urban legislators. This program allows our members to be an important resource for their adopted legislators when important agricultural issues arise in the General Assembly.

If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in the Adopt-A-Legislator® program, please contact your County Farm Bureau Manager  or Christina Nourie at cnourie@ilfb.org or 309-532-2954.