(The Center Square) – A number of agricultural groups will be represented Friday during Agricultural Day at the Illinois State Fair.
Numerous commodity organizations, farmers and other agricultural officials will be on hand to share information on current ag policies.
“Ag Day is a really special day for us because we get the opportunity to interact with people who aren’t living on the farm and are really interested in learning more about food production and the economic impact of farming in Illinois,” said Lindsey Croke, director of Communications with the Illinois Corn Growers Association.
DeAnn Bloomberg, director of Issues Management at the Illinois Farm Bureau, said in addition to the farm bill, farm profitability is an issue that is top of mind for her organization.
“Most recently I would say the farm income projections that are out there as the result of declining commodity prices,” said Bloomberg.
Croke agrees that Illinois farmers are uneasy about the future of farm income.
“We really are thinking what the University of Illinois predicts is going to be a long-term profitability decline, so that makes us nervous about the future of family farmers and being able to keep family farmers in business,” said Croke.
Several other organizations are expected to participate in Ag Day, including the Illinois Pork Producers Association, the Illinois Soybean Association and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association.
Livestock exhibitors and youth in agriculture participants will also be on the grounds to celebrate the state’s number one industry.
Illinois’ agricultural output is a major contributor to the state’s economy, generating more than $51 billion annually in marketing revenue. This includes over $19 billion from agricultural commodities, and billions more from related industries.
Illinois is the top soybean producing state in the country, and the second largest producer of corn.
The Illinois State Fair begins Thursday and runs through Aug. 18.