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Illinois Farm Bureau showcasing state’s ag diversity

The member engagement manager with the Illinois Farm Bureau says the organization is working to highlight the diversity within the state’s top industry.

Ashley Beutke says Illinois may be known as a top corn and soybean producer, but some regions produce much more.

“It’s such a unique area right there in Mason County, with their accessibility to the Mahomet aquifer and their ability to irrigate crops.”  She says, “They also have a sandier soil type, so they are able to grow a more diverse crop than what we are in a lot of other places within the state.”

She tells Brownfield the organization is also increasing awareness of the importance of ag transportation, like the inland waterway system.

“A lot of our farmers in Illinois are very accustomed to taking grain to the rail, and putting it on those train cars, and getting it to the river, and getting it to our markets that way.”  She says, “If you’re located next to a river, you might take for granted just being able to put your grain straight on the barge.”

Beutke says expanding knowledge of the state’s agricultural opportunities leads to more informed public policy decisions and potentially expands markets for farmers.

The Illinois Farm Bureau is hosting its second annual Summer Ag Tour on June 7^th in Mason County which will showcase a specialty crop operation and offer a tugboat tour on the Illinois River to highlight some unique Illinois agricultural opportunities.

AUDIO: Ashley Beutke – Illinois Farm Bureau