Vermilion County Farm Bureau
Serving Vermilion County Agriculture Since 1918
Credit Card accepted for Membership Payments
Since 1944, the third full week of
September has been designated
National Farm Safety & Health Week. It's a time to recognize the inherent dangers of farm life and urge safe actions on the farm. The 2022 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 417 fatalities. Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry.
Safety First - Avoid the Worst
As more and more solar projects are proposed to be built on some of the most fertile farmground in the world, the Vermilion County Farm Bureau Board of Directors recently set forth the following statement.
“Vermilion County Farm Bureau has
a long-standing position of strongly
supporting private property rights.
We also support a diversified energy
policy, which includes renewable
energy.
“As demand for more energy sources grow, so do the size and scope of renewable energy projects, particularly solar. Due to the growing number of renewable energy projects across Vermilion County, our organization is calling for a review of the siting process.
“Some of the most productive soils in the world are located in Vermilion County – the source of our food and fiber. Rather than covering this valuable natural resource, it is our belief that the emphasis for solar projects should be focused on non-productive land.
“While we need to have a reliable energy system, it is high time we also consider farmland preservation. We strongly encourage renewable energy companies to locate projects on marginal land and not our prime farm ground.
“Today, the demand for energy is great. If we continue on this path of taking hundreds of thousands of acres out of agricultural production, it will quickly become food that is in short supply.”
Illinois Farm Bureau has an in-depth policy on energy, with a subsection on solar energy that reads, in part: Developments should be prioritized to be placed on non-prime farmland. Projects should be required to minimize impact on adjacent non-participating landowners.”
A long-standing principal of our organization has been to preserve private property rights. But as the statement above notes, it is also responsible stewardship to make sure that our farmground is available for future generations.
Farm Bureau Board Issues Statement on Solar Projects on Farmland
Safety First During
National Farm Safety & Health Week
Vermilion County Farm
Bureau members are
urged to post signs on
their property to
promote the IL Farm
Bureau $1,000 Crime
Reward Program. It offers a $1,000 reward to the person that gives information leading to the felony conviction of a person or persons committing theft, damage to property, arson or similar felony crimes against ag production-related property in Illinois. The signs are available at the Farm Bureau office. The first sign is free, with additional signs available for cost ($2.50). There are also stickers available that the be placed on your property as a deterrent to rural crime.
Calendar of Events
National Farm Safety & Health Week - Sept. 21-27
First Day of Autumn - September 22
National 4-H Week - October 5-11
Board of Directors Meeting - October 16
Foundation Trustees Meeting - November 5
Glow Bingo Party in the Barn - November 8
Farm Bureau Annual Meeting - December 2
Add your barn to the VCFB Barn Catalog
Help us preserve our
farming landscape
heritage by adding
your barn to the catalog.
Click on the barn to submit the information about your barn.