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Governor Signs Legislation Putting Illinois on Track to Vastly Expanded Local Farm Economy

SPRINGFIELD, IL- Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn signed landmark legislation that will put the state on the road to a vastly expanded supply of Illinois-grown food for Illinois tables.

During a ceremony held on the front lawn of the home of Department of Agriculture (located on the Illinois State Fairgrounds), Quinn said the legislation represents an important first step in a process that could ultimately bring as much as $30 billion a year to the state's economy.
ag day

"Agriculture is a diverse, multi-billion dollar industry that employs nearly one-quarter of the state's workforce. Simply stated, agriculture is the largest industry in the state and vital to our economy," said Quinn at the "Ag Day" event. "Standing in sharp contrast is the fact that nearly 96 percent of the food eaten in Illinois is grown in other states or nations. The legislation I signed today will stimulate the rapidly growing efforts across Illinois to grow food for local consumption. As traditional Illinois farmers, local food organizations, and others respond to demand for locally-grown food, there will be an enormous amount of new economic activity in our agricultural sector and thousands of new jobs across the state."

The new law is designed to greatly increase demand for locally grown food by starting the process of building a reliable market for local food at facilities and institutions, like public schools, that receive significant state support. Also, the legislation establishes the Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council, which will encourage farmers to grow food for local markets and facilitate the building of the systems needed to get it there.

The legislation caps almost two year's effort by the Illinois Local and Organic

Food and Farm Task Force to determine the potential for Illinois to grow and produce food for consumption within the state and in neighboring states. A study released by the Task Force earlier this year, Local Food, Farms & Jobs: Growing the Illinois Economy, revealed that of the approximately $48 billion spent by Illinoisans on food each year, only a tiny fraction is grown in Illinois. A set of straightforward measures to encourage Illinois farmers to grow food for local consumption, coupled with a system for processing and transporting the food to Illinois markets could bring an estimated $30 billion to the state's economy each year.

"I believe economic development begins in the kitchen," said Illinois Agriculture Director Tom Jennings. "There is no question we can produce locally grown fruits, nuts, and vegetables. We also have the processing and packaging capabilities right here in our own backyard. Setting up a distribution system that moves items at reasonable cost from tree or vine to the table is the big challenge and this legislation is an important step toward realizing that goal."

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From Mother Nature News:

40 farmers under 40 by Matt Hickman

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