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Special recognition honoring March 15 - March 21 as National Agriculture Week.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, National Agriculture Week will be celebrated March 15 - 21, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Illinois is home to more than 70,700 farms with Lake County having over 30,000 acres of farmland with 302 farms, 94% of which are family-owned and operated; and
WHEREAS, Lake County also hosts over 15 farmers markets to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to our residents directly from local farms; and
WHEREAS, agriculture supports 7,168 jobs in the county, accounting for an estimated 2 percent of total jobs; and
WHEREAS, agriculture and related industries generate total sales estimated at $1.5 trillion nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Illinois farmers support the food security of our residents, providing an essential service as farmland is a finite resource that is vital to agriculture, food production, human life, and the economic well-being of our county; and
WHEREAS, farmers have continued to adapt, modernizing their profession while creating a positive impact on the environment by utilizing newer tools and technology to better manage soil nutrients, water runoff, and air quality, which allows them to use fewer natural resources and reduce their carbon footprint while producing more food; and
WHEREAS, the jobs created, taxes generated, technologies embraced, and environmental practices implemented by farmers make agriculture a valuable industry within our county and across the country.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RECOGNIZED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois that agriculture contributes to our county in incredibly important ways and is the backbone of our country; and
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED, that this County Board and staff will work to support and promote the development of agriculture for the benefit of our county and all its residents.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on March 10, 2026.