Disparate voices find unity

Teamwork doesn't come easily. Electric co-op leaders know that. It took a lot of work to transform the dreams or early co-op leaders into the sound system which serves today. Yet, it was worth the effort.

The same commitment to joint effort is required for the challenges facing Illinois agriculture.

Decades ago, when farm interests dominated, agriculture could afford the luxury of competing viewpoints. Years later, when demographics made us a minority, shrewd politicians took the upper hand with the charge: "When you can all get together on a position, come back — and then we will see what we can do for agriculture!"

Illinois agriculture has seen the light. Our once divided energies are teamed. The Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable brings nearly all segments of Illinois' vast agriculture together to partner for action.

Encompassing more than 50 groups, the Roundtable meets formally twice each year. All proposals are discussed. Issues where obvious disagreement prevails are swiftly dismissed. Most issues, when openly aired, produce an agenda of unity.

Ronald R. Warfield

Washington politicians were astounded the first time the Roundtable took a Washington trip, buttonholing senators, congressmen and agency administrators with rock-solid positions on issues affecting agriculture. Washington was happy to see us united — And we got results.

The same thing happens in Springfield. For example, most problems facing Illinois agriculture demand science-based solutions. Where do we find those answers? Research.

All Illinois agriculture supports boosted agricultural research funding. C-FAR, the Council on Food and Agricultural Research, has been highly successful in increasing Illinois agricultural research funding toward being one of the top ten in the country.

All Illinois agriculture has a stake in the reinvention of Extension. The main thrust has been concerted effort by the Chancellor's Commission, including a cross section of Illinois agriculture working together for solutions.

Roundtable efforts also foster specialized team efforts.

Most obvious has been the sustained team effort by the Illinois Pork Producers Association, the Illinois Beef Association, and the Illinois Farm Bureau to ensure Illinois a growing, thriving, livestock industry. Working together IPPA, IBA, and IFB guided drafting of the Livestock Management Facilities Act, hammered out the regulations, and sought amendments to fine-tune them, letting markets determine who will farm and how, but ensuring a healthful, sound environment. Illinois Milk Producers' Association, Illinois Corn Growers, and Illinois Soybean Association also have pitched in.

A more recent example has been agricultural literacy — efforts to help non-farm people understand where their food really comes from and the challenges farmers face.

Not every problem can be solved by such partnering, but most stand a better chance when agriculture forges a solid alliance.

Working constructively, as partners, we can ensure agriculture's prominent place in our state's future.

Ronald R. Warfield of Gibson City is president of the Illinois Farm Bureau and the insurance and investment companies that make up Country Companies, Illinois Agricultural Service Co., AgriVisor Services, Inc., and the IAA Foundation. In February he was appointed to the Governor's Commission on Property Tax Reform created to focus on reducing the property tax burden for schools and previously served on the Illinois Commission on Education Funding. He holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois, and, along with his family, farms 1,850 acres of corn and soybeans.

4 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 1998