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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® 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® 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 food labeling, organic agriculture, and community support agriculture policies and has received the Liberty Bell, the highest recognition awarded by the Illinois Farm Bureau® for outstanding programming in the area of Legislative and Political Affairs, Local Government, and Policy Development; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau engages in programs to connect farmers to consumers and has created “Local Farm Products” which promotes member farms, farm stands, greenhouses, stables, farm stores, and agricultural-related businesses; and
WHEREAS, to further connect consumers to the farmers who grow and raise healthy and nutritious food, the Cook County Farm Bureau hosts a “Farm Crawl,” which allows consumers to visit farms and farm stands throughout the county, and for fall enthusiasts flock to the Farm Bureau’s “Giant Pumpkin Contest” and visit with local farmers; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau launched its “Agriculture in the Classroom” program, and during its thirty plus years, the program has reached more than 559,000 students and over 23,000 Cook County classrooms to educate youth about the connection between farmers, food and their day-to-day lives; and
WHEREAS, more than 200 teachers experience agriculture and explore how to integrate agriculture and food sciences into their classrooms while earning professional development and graduate credits, and the Cook County Farm Bureau also strives to educate consumers about the shared values of farmers and consumers; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau partners with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana® to celebrate “Food Checkout Day” and the healthy and nutritious contributions of modern farmers, and to date “Food Checkout Day” has donated over $130,000 and more than 96,000-pounds of food to the families who call Ronald McDonald House their temporary home while their child is receiving care; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau has received the Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives® for “Food Checkout Day” in recognition of the tremendous contributions non-profits can make when working together to accomplish a mutual goal; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau launched a mobile-friendly website to enhance member communication efforts and over 1.27 million people engage with Cook County Farm Bureau® through the social media program “Grocery Giveaway” which the American Farm Bureau Federation® has named the “Grocery Giveaway” a “County Activity of Excellence”; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau launched the “Food Pantry Challenge” to engage consumers and provide financial donations to local food pantries; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau serves non-farming families through member benefits, programs and enrichment activities; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau received the President’s Award for outstanding programming in Agricultural Literacy, Commodities and Marketing, Communications, Health and Safety, Legislative and Political Affairs, Local Affairs, Membership, Policy Development, and Quota; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby congratulate the founders, members, leadership, staff, and supporters of Cook County Farm Bureau on their 100th Anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Cook County Farm Bureau in honor of its noble work and remarkable impact.
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