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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CONGRATULATING COOK COUNTY FARM BUREAU ON THEIR 100th ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, as the result of passionate farmers committed to bringing the expertise of the University of Illinois College of Agriculture to county farmers, the first County Farm Bureau is organized and County Farm Bureaus from throughout Illinois organize to form the Illinois Agricultural Association, a statewide general farm organization; and
WHEREAS, in 1920 local farmers created the Cook County Farm Bureau(r) to provide agricultural expertise and assistance to local farmers and where today the Cook County Farm Bureau is home to 43,988 members in good standing and has achieved year-over-year membership growth in 1980 through 1987, 1999 through 2014, 2016, and 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau created Country Financial after farmers were unable to purchase fire insurance for their homes and farms and local farmers meet with the County Assessor to establish fair assessment levels for agricultural land in the county and the Farm Bureau continues to assist farmers and farm businesses with property taxes and building and zoning concerns; and
WHEREAS, area farmers, food processors, and farm businesses host County legislators and staff members as part of the Staff Exchange Program that explores the connections between local agriculture and Cook County government which American Farm Bureau Federation(r) named the Staff Exchange Program a "County Activity of Excellence"; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau developed meaningful and beneficial agricultural and small business policy; and established a grassroots Viewpoint Committee to solicit farmer member opinions on pertinent issues called the Viewpoint Survey which includes questions on food safety, private property rights, government assistance, organic certification, and food labeling; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau has submitted numerous policy resolutions including Illinois Farm Bureau's first ...
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