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Special recognition honoring March 17 - March 23 as National Agriculture Week.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, National Agriculture Week will be celebrated March 17 - 23, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Illinois is home to more than 70,700 farms; and
WHEREAS, Lake County has over 30,000 acres of farmland with 302 farms, 94% of which are family-owned and operated; and
WHEREAS, Lake County is also home to over 15 farmers' markets that help provide fresh fruits and vegetables to our residents; and
WHEREAS, agriculture supports 7,168 jobs in the county, which accounts for an estimated 2 percent of total jobs; and
WHEREAS, agriculture and related industries generate total sales estimated at $1,893 billion; and
WHEREAS, Illinois farmers support the food security of our residents. Farmland is a finite resource that is vital to agriculture, food production, and the economic well-being of our county; and
WHEREAS, farmers are using tools and technology to better manage soil nutrients, water runoff, and air quality, farmers are now using fewer natural resources and reducing their carbon footprint while producing more food; and
WHEREAS, the County recognizes the value agriculture contributes to our county and this way of life is the backbone of our country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, that this County Board of Lake County, Illinois acknowledges and supports agriculture within our county. The jobs created, taxes generated, technologies embraced, and environmental practices implemented by farmers make 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 12, 2024.