Lake County, IL
File #: 23-0397    Version: 1 Name: Special recognition honoring March 19th - March 25th as National Agriculture Week.
Type: Special Recognition Status: Completed
File created: 3/1/2023 In control: Lake County Board
On agenda: Final action: 3/14/2023
Title: Special recognition honoring March 19 - March 25 as National Agriculture Week.

Title

Special recognition honoring March 19 - March 25 as National Agriculture Week.

 

Body

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

 

WHEREAS, National Agriculture Week will be celebrated March 19 - 25, 2023; and

 

WHEREAS, Illinois is home to more than 71,000 farms; and

 

WHEREAS, Lake County accounts for 302 of those farms, 94% of which are family-owned and operated; and 

 

WHEREAS, Lake County has over 30,000 acres of farmland; and

 

WHEREAS, Lake County is home to over 15 farmers markets that help provide fresh fruits and vegetables to our residents; and

 

WHEREAS, agriculture supports 7,168 jobs which accounts for an estimated 2 percent of total jobs in the county; and

 

WHEREAS, agriculture and related industries generate total sales or output is estimated at $1,893 billion; and

 

WHEREAS, Illinois farmers support the food security of our citizens.  The international pandemic displayed the importance of American food systems, processing, and supply chain weaknesses; and

 

WHEREAS, new livestock development accounts for additional jobs creating additional economic growth within the county; and

 

WHEREAS, farmers are dedicated to caring for their animals in ways that also benefit the land. Using tools and technology to better manage soil nutrients, water runoff and air quality on the farm, farmers are using fewer natural resources and reducing their carbon footprint while producing more food; and

 

WHEREAS, farmland is a finite resource that is vital to agriculture, food production, and the economic well-being of our county; and

 

WHEREAS, farmers in Illinois face multiple layers of regulation involving state and federal agencies providing a comprehensive, robust regulatory program for all farms including those raising livestock; and

 

WHEREAS, data and information from state regulatory agencies demonstrates environmental issues from agriculture are an extremely rare occurrence; and

 

WHEREAS, the county recognizes the value agriculture contributes to our county and the rural way of life is the backbone of our country.  Efforts should be made to accommodate future success of the rural community.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, that this County Board of Lake County, acknowledges and supports agriculture within our county.  The jobs created, taxes generated, technologies embraced, and environmental practices implemented by farmers makes agriculture a valuable industry within our county; 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 14, 2023.