Friday, October 24, 2008 9:17 PM CDT
Chicago legislator learns the ropes on Dorans farm
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — Having a longtime interest in construction equipment and semi-trailers, Chicago area state Rep. William Davis had a particular goal in mind for his Coles County farm trip Thursday.
“I figure if I am going to visit a farm, why not drive a combine,” Davis said.
On Thursday, Davis got to climb into the cab of Mattoon farmer Mark Degler’s combine and drive through his fields during the harvest. Afterwards, he marveled at the combine’s high-tech controls and its sensitive rear-wheel steering.
Davis, D-East Hazel Crest, said experiences like driving a tractor and talking to Degler about farming give him a perspective on agriculture that he would not otherwise get in his south suburban 30th District, where there is no farmland.
“I enjoy being a hands on legislator,” Davis said.
Thursday’s visit was organized by the Coles County Farm Bureau. It was part of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s ongoing program of bringing legislators from Chicago’s urban districts out to see farm operations first hand and learn about agriculture-related issues in rural districts.
The visit also included a tour of the Farmer’s Grain Co. grain elevator in Dorans and Mattoon High School’s new greenhouse.
Davis is no stranger to Coles County. He visits Eastern Illinois University to work with his friend Brenda Major, director of admissions, on minority recruitment. He also has met with local farmers on at least one occasion. Still, he said Thursday marked his first “official” farm visit.
“It’s just a day, but you gain so much insight in the course of a day,” Davis said.
For example, Davis said he sat next to Alan Metzger, president of the Coles County Farm Bureau Board, at lunch Thursday in Degler’s shed and talked with him about livestock farming.
Davis said the topic of the treatment of cattle has gotten a lot of exposure in Chicago and beyond due to the broadcasts of Oprah Winfrey. He said Metzger gave him a local farmer’s perspective on trying to produce animals that are healthy and that customers will want to purchase.
As a legislator, Davis said he always tries to hear out the concerns of farming groups while balancing these concerns with the interests of voters in his district.
Sometimes the concerns overlap, Davis said. Farmers are concerned about how their land is taxed to pay for education and his constituents are concerned about inequalities in property tax funding, Davis said. Both groups are interested in education funding reform, he said.
“Here is one very common bond we have,” Davis said.
Mary Cox, manager of the Coles County Farm Bureau, said the Illinois Farm Bureau presented Davis with its “Friend of Agriculture Award” earlier this year in recognition of his support for agricultural issues.
“He has proven to be very dedicated to agriculture,” Cox said.
Davis said he has found that agriculture is an issue that overlaps into many areas of business and transportation. He also said he has found that the people who work in agriculture are trying to make a living and provide for their families like people in other professions.
“It is actually a very complex issue. It’s a business. It’s a different type of business, so to speak, but it is a business,” Davis said.
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.
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