IFB Weekly: Most Recent Talking Points

Note: For our full comprehensive talking points document, please contact your local county Farm Bureau.

New EPA Waters of the United States Rule

Background: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers on Dec. 30 issued a new rule defining Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act. Under the new rule, large waterways, like interstate rivers and streams and adjacent wetlands, would have federal protection. Wetlands would be considered adjacent if they are connected to larger waterways with “relatively permanent” surface water connections, or if they have a “significant” hydrologic or ecological “nexus” to those protected tributaries.

Headline Messages:

Illinois Farm Bureau is extremely disappointed in EPA’s new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule.
Farmers care about clean water and preserving the land. They shouldn’t need teams of lawyers and consultants to farm their land.
EPA’s new rule creates overly complex regulations for what is considered “navigable waters” on their land.
Continuation of the old “significant nexus test” will create more regulatory uncertainty on large areas of private farmland miles from the nearest navigable water.
The timing of this new rule, while the U.S. Supreme Court is nearing a decision on the scope of the Clean Water Act, is equally confusing.
A ruling in this case could send WOTUS back to the drawing board, so it makes no sense for EPA to issue a rule that will only cause more disruption and uncertainty.
We call on EPA to recognize the burden overreaching regulations place on farmers, to respect the statute and not write the term “navigable” out of Clean Water Act regulations.

IFB Nutrient Stewardship Talking Points

Headline Messages:

Farmers are at the forefront of climate-smart farming, putting scientific solutions, technology, and innovation to work to protect our land, air and water.
U.S. agriculture contributes around 10% to overall greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector, far less than other major industries.
Thanks to farmers’ dedication to conserve natural resources, that share drops to negative 2% when additional carbon absorbing practices are factored in.
Farmers are promoting healthy soil by planting cover crops and adopting sustainable practices that trap carbon.
Farm Bureau is leading the way in policies that reduce emissions, enrich the soil and protect our water and air, all while producing more food, fiber and renewable fuel than ever before.

Supporting Messages:

Since 2015, IFB has committed over $2.8 million to nutrient stewardship initiatives, including $1 million for the Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program.
For the 2023 Fiscal Year, IFB is awarding $175,000 in grants to county Farm Bureaus (CFBs) for local projects.
IFB will distribute $150,000 in Nutrient Stewardship Grants to 23 CFBs, and $25,000 in Pollinator Conservation Grants to 22 CFBs for 11 pollinator projects.

General Inflation Talking Points

Headline Messages:

Inflation remains at the top of American’s minds heading into the new year.
Farmers aren’t alone in facing a tough economy, but many family farms are struggling to hang on in the face of skyrocketing input costs.
Like consumers, farmers are price-takers not price-makers.
General inflation is a long-term problem, which we expect to put pressure on our wallets and create price uncertainty for the next few years.
The ripple effects of the war in Ukraine, and general supply and supply chain issues add to the challenges of ensuring the security of the global food supply.
The impacts of inflation and global disputes on our food supply create added pressure to make sure we get it right when it comes to the 2023 farm bill.

The Illinois Livestock Industry

The Illinois livestock industry benefits agriculture in our state by creating market opportunities, driving economic growth, strengthening our communities, and protecting the environment.

Headline Messages:

Livestock farms, along with meat and dairy processing, are economic engines for Illinois.
For every $100 of output from livestock farms, an ADDITIONAL $80 is generated in economic activity outside of our industry. That means more dollars to support local needs.
Statewide, livestock farms support 91,000+ jobs and account for $4.7 billion in Illinois household income.
One small meat processor generates $27.9 million in economic activity and supports 88 local community jobs each year.
Illinois is home to more than 71,000 farms, 96% of which are family-owned and a third of which include livestock.
Illinois’ state licensed meat establishments processed more than 31 million pounds of meat to feed families across the state in 2020.
Illinois farm families donated more than 250,000 pounds of food to local food pantries in 2020.