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Friday, April 18, 2008 7:48 PM CDT
Frozen funds for agriculture: What does it mean?
By AMY ROCHKES, For the JG/T-C
On April 3 the Governor’s office decided to freeze over $40 million of funds for agriculture programs that pass through the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s appropriated budget for the current fiscal year. The programs impacted by this decision include University of Illinois Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Council on Food and Agriculture Research (C-FAR), Fertilizer Research and Education Committee, AgrAbility and the Grape and Wine Resources Council.
Funding for each of these programs was included in the fiscal year 2008 budget passed by the Illinois General Assembly and ultimately signed in vetoed form by the Governor. The Department of Agriculture is stating that since the current state budget was based on “inflated revenue estimates” there are not adequate funds to honor the appropriated amounts.
What does this mean to Shelby County? Program dollars for U of I Extension Shelby County Unit and Shelby County SWCD will not be released. The ramifications of this could be catastrophic. It could even mean the closure of these two offices that serve all residents of Shelby County, not just those of us in agriculture.
Shelby County Extension is a valuable partner for many organizations in the county. The extension staff serves residents of all ages through its many programs. Many residents have been served by extension through the Master Gardener’s, 4-H, and agriculture programs that are offered to anyone living in Shelby County.
Shelby County SWCD is another valuable partner for landowners, farmers and residents whose interest in the conservation of our precious natural resources. The county SWCD staff provides the technical assistance in the layout, survey, and design of conservation practices. Other programs include the spring and fall tree and fish sales, and resource planning with the Upper Sangamon and Upper Kaskaskia Watersheds.
Shelby County Farm Bureau enjoys our working relationship with Extension and SWCD to offer educational and informational programs in the county. Some of our most successful collaborations are Shelby County Ag Awareness Committee whose goal is the agriculture in the classroom monthly lessons taught in all of the school districts and Heartland Graziers who works with a network of graziers furthering the prescribed management of grazing land in the county.
Today a joint committee hearing of the House and Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committees will address the Governor’s decision to freeze funds for agricultural programs. Illinois Farm Bureau and Shelby County Farm Bureau are opposed to Governor’s action are working hard to ensure the funding for these groups are released as appropriated in the state budget before it is too late.
Whether you are in agriculture or not, Shelby County needs Extension and SWCD. I encourage you to contact our legislators and let them know how this impacts the programs in our county. Please ask our legislators to request the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget to release the funds that have been appropriated.
Amy Rochkes is a member of the Shelby County Farm Bureau.
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