IFB's Adopt-A-Legislator program helping bridge urban-rural divide

BY KAY SHIPMAN

Illinois farmers face a challenge bringing agricultural issues to the forefront with two-thirds of state legislators representing urban districts. Through Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator program, county Farm Bureau leaders build relationships and make a difference, said Christina Nourie, IFB northeast legislative coordinator.

“Adopt-A-Legislator is one of the best tools we have to reach out to Chicago legislators and develop relationships,” Nourie said during the Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference in Springfield.

Nourie provided an overview of the program and shared ideas county Farm Bureau leaders are using to build rapport with their adopted legislators.

Currently, 75 state legislators are adopted. Their districts are predominantly in Cook County; however, a growing number represent collar county districts. Nourie projected an additional number of legislators may join the program.

Relationships and understanding fostered through the program provide additional dividends when participating legislators advance to leadership roles or are elected to statewide or national offices. Nourie pointed out Illinois Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has been an adopted legislator since 2012 and other adopted legislators now hold statewide offices.

By building relationships with urban lawmakers, farmers and county Farm Bureau leaders come to be viewed as information resources for legislators who ask questions about farming or how a bill might impact agriculture, Nourie said.

Although the farmers help legislators learn about farming and better understand agricultural issues, Nourie emphasized Farm Bureau leaders also experience their adopted lawmaker’s district and learn about important urban issues, too.

“This is an educational exchange program. Get to know them (urban legislators) and what is important in their district,” she said. “Our program is unique because we take people to visit them” in their districts.

When first reaching out to a newly adopted lawmaker, Nourie recommended Farm Bureau leaders focus on issues of common interest, such as agricultural education, mental health and food insecurity. More urban legislators are interested in gaining ag education programs for schools in their districts, she noted.

Having county Farm Bureau members directly involved is key to a successful match between an urban lawmaker and a downstate county. Legislators “want to meet and talk with farmers,” Nourie said. County Farm Bureau leaders must understand the time commitment needed when they agree to adopt an urban legislator, she added.

And those farmers should represent the diversity of the county’s farm community. Nourie suggested involving young farmers and their families, women farmers and professional Farm Bureau members.

While the farmers may be eager to work with their newly adopted legislator, new relationships take time, especially given lawmakers’ busy schedules, Nourie pointed out. She encouraged county Farm Bureau leaders to be patient and “understand the involvement may grow slowly.”

As agriculture is expanding, urban legislators are interested in IFB becoming more involved with urban agriculture, especially in Chicago, Nourie told Farm Bureau leaders. In December, county Farm Bureau delegates passed new urban agriculture policy.

Adopt-A-Legislator continues to evolve. Pandemic restrictions ushered in many virtual meetings and even tours with adopted legislators. Now, Nourie recommends an initial zoom meeting between a newly adopted legislator and several county Farm Bureau leaders. “This (meeting) gives us an opportunity to meet right away,” she said.

As more Hispanic legislators join the program, Nourie has noticed an increase in those with family ties to farming even going back a generation or two.

Nourie encouraged county Farm Bureau leaders to offer legislators hands-on experiences riding in farm machinery, feeding animals and life on a farm. County tours may include a rural hospital for lawmakers interested in health care or a local school for those who focus on education. Any agenda also needs to include meals and opportunities to socialize with farm families, she added.

Farm Bureau leaders shouldn’t stress if lawmakers don’t remember details of everything they toured or heard. “Adopted legislators will always remember how you make them feel. So much (of this program) is about the experience,” Nourie concluded.

This story was provided by FarmWeekNow.com.

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