Drought 2023 Update
Illinois Farm Bureau continues monitoring Illinois and U.S. drought conditions as information becomes available. As many of our members know, the abnormally dry and severe drought conditions affecting multiple Illinois counties, and across the Midwest, are discouraging for many farmers and families. IFB news and communications staff are working diligently to provide the latest information and resources.
The latest drought news is available at www.farmweeknow.com. Stay tuned-in to RFD radio for weekly weather reports. Additional information is available at www.drought.gov/states/illinois. A
IFB provides communications support to farmers, county Farm Bureaus, and staff members responding to media inquiries on the drought. Talking points are available through IFB Weekly and on the Leaders’ Portal or by emailing Sierra Henry at shenry@ilfb.org. For media relations support Sierra Henry or DeAnne Bloomberg at dbloomberg@ilfb.org.
In preparation for the evolving drought crisis, IFB produced a crisis response strategy to assist in communicating the latest news, resources, and to provide media support. This document allows the IFB news and communication team to remain proactive throughout the drought and ensure our members and employees have access to quality, timely information as it becomes available.
Additionally, the U.S. Drought Monitor provides alert emails. Those interested may sign up to receive emails for when conditions change in their area, or when NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center releases a new drought outlook, predicting weather drought will develop, persist, or improve. The email signup is available at this link: https://www.drought.gov/drought-alerts/signup.
For additional information or questions, please contact IFB Media Relations Specialist Sierra Henry at shenry@ilfb.org or Director of Issue Management DeAnne Bloomberg at dbloomberg@ilfb.org.
MEDIA TRAINING: TOUGH QUESTIONS
These tough questions are intended to prepare IFB spokespersons, employees, farmers, and anyone who may have to answer questions about the drought. Some questions were taken directly from IFB social media comments and recent interviews:
Q: Is this drought a result of ongoing Climate Change?
Q: This is the second year Illinois has struggled with drought conditions. How are farmers dealing with drought, and are there tactics for preventing drought or lessening its impact?
Q: How is this drought affecting consumers, or will it eventually affect consumers if it is not already?
Q: What is the estimated type of revenue reduction that yield loss might cause your farm?
Q: Could you estimate how much revenue farmers have lost in previous droughts?
TALKING POINTS
Headline Messages:
- Drought conditions persist across Illinois. Recent rains have certainly helped a few areas, but we’re not out of the woods yet. We’re a long way from the bin.
- Every situation is different. How the drought affects farmers can depend on what they produce and where they are located, among several other variables.
- At the end of the day, farmers want to produce a good crop. Drought is very discouraging for farmers.
- Farmers are able to purchase crop insurance, which helps them remain afloat during times such as drought. However, it will never fully replace the loss of a good crop.
- Drought is a complex physical and social phenomenon, usually with no clear beginning or end. It is often the result of many complex factors acting on and interacting with the environment.
- Farmers are at the forefront of climate-smart farming, putting scientific solutions, technology, and innovation to work to protect our land, air, and water.