BY TIMOTHY EGGERT
A group of Illinois Farm Bureau members for two weeks will explore how agriculture intersects with public policy, climate change and global trade on the opposite end of the Atlantic Ocean.
IFB is sponsoring a 12-person delegation, made up of IFB board members and staff, Illinois farmers and other agribusiness representatives, to travel to Belgium, France and the United Kingdom from Feb. 28 to March 12.
While abroad, the group plans to meet with local farmers, international agriculture officials and members from a variety of industry organizations to understand how issues like Brexit and the European Green Deal could impact current and future farming operations within the United States.
The delegation will also tour agricultural research facilities, with stops at the Paris International Agricultural Show and a sweetener mill operated by the Archer-Daniels-Midland Company.
Leading the market study tour are Mike Doherty, IFB senior economist and policy analyst, and Lyndsey Ramsey, IFB director of strategic engagement.
Mark Gebhards, IFB director of governmental affairs and commodities, will also participate in the tour along with IFB Vice President Brian Duncan, IFB District 2 Director Earl Williams Jr. and former IFB District 4 Director Brad Temple.
Macoupin County Farm Bureau director Molly Rosentreter, who’s also attending the market study tour, said she’s especially interested in learning how European farmers market their specialty crops and whether any “progressive” European farming or conservation strategies might be suitable for implementing in Illinois.
“Things that we view as radical in the Midwest are actually happening in parts of the world, then they start infiltrating through other markets,” Rosentreter said. “I think a lot of this trip is going to be understanding the reality of what’s going on in other parts (of the world) that could drastically affect us.”
Duncan, who also manages an independent hog operation in Ogle County, said he’s looking forward to discussions with European Union officials about a slew of topics, from mandatory environmental regulations and limits on American ag exports to animal welfare and farm subsidies.
“Policies seem to start in the EU and migrate this way,” Duncan said. “If we can get some leading information on how or why these regulations were developed, I think it serves us well as an organization when we talk about them if they come in this direction.”
Other members of the market study tour delegation include:
- Greg McKinley, Livingston County row crop farmer.
- Martha King, Farm Foundation vice president of programs and projects.
- Kristen Faucon, GROWMARK member business administration manager.
- Lauren Doelling, AgReliant Genetics supply chain manager.
- Timothy Eggert, FarmWeek agricultural policy editor.
This story was provided by FarmWeekNow.com.