Grainnet

Bills address recruitment/retention of agriculture educators, prevent spread of dangerous animal diseases, expand state’s local and organic food market and provide protection for state’s natural resources

Springfield, IL–-Governor Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation on Aug 14 that will help expand the state’s agriculture programs and further protect Illinois’ natural resources.

The bills will aim to increase the number of agricultural educators in the state; give the State authority to issue quarantines on animals and premises in order to control the spread of dangerous diseases; create a task force to help expand the accessibility of Illinois-grown and organic foods; and increase protections for the state’s natural resources.

“Agriculture is the back bone of the Illinois economy.

"By signing these laws, we are making sure there are good, qualified agriculture teachers in our classrooms and making sure our Department of Agriculture has the tools and authority it needs to protect the Illinois food supply,” said Gov. Blagojevich.

House Bill 1922, sponsored by State Representative Donald Moffitt (R-Galesburg) and State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville), addresses issues impacting the recruitment and retention of highly qualified agricultural education teachers in Illinois by requiring the State Board of Education to develop an agricultural science teacher training continuum to be used for the future.

Under the new law, the State Board of Education will also provide incentive grants to the agricultural education programs at four of the state’s public universities – Illinois State University; Southern Illinois University; University of Illinois; and Western Illinois University.

Public community colleges that offer relevant courses are also eligible for funding.

The funds may also be used to support the following activities:

Teacher education candidate recruitment and retention incentives; The assistance of master teachers and practitioners with the preparation, coordination, and supervision of student teachers; Establish professional development experiences for new teachers in their first five years; Professional development for university staff in this program.

HB 1922 goes into effect January 1, 2008.

“It is important that our students have access to resources that will help them learn about the agricultural industry, which is the backbone of our Illinois economy,” said Rep. Moffitt.

“The most important resources for doing that are qualified teachers. I applaud the Governor for signing this bill and advancing agriculture education in Illinois.”

“Here in the nation’s heartland, agriculture reigns,” said Sen. Sullivan.

“We must take steps to ensure that our universities are leading the nation by teaching students the latest technologies.

"I am glad the Governor has signed this bill that supports Illinois’ agriculture industry.”

Senate Bill 560, sponsored by State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) and State Representative Dan Reitz (D-Sparta), gives the Department of Agriculture authority to quarantine potentially-contaminated animals and premises to control the spread of contagious or infectious diseases and reduce the spread of contamination.

Currently, the department can only issue quarantines when a contagious or infectious disease has been diagnosed.

Many of the most virulent diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease spread rapidly through animal movements that occur early in the course of disease.

The bill also expands the definition of “contaminated” to include chemical and radiological contamination as grounds for quarantine.

“In a time of Mad Cow Disease, it is important that we take steps to protect livestock from contagious diseases the can devastate a herd,” said Sen. Sullivan.

“This bill ensures that such steps can be taken before it’s too late.”

“Livestock is an important source of food for millions of people,” said Rep. Reitz. “For that reason, we must make sure that the meat and poultry we are eating is safe. This legislation will help manage the spread of disease among livestock; the result being safer animals and safer food.”

SB 560 becomes effective immediately.

House Bill 1300, sponsored by State Representative Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) and State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) creates the Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force, which will be responsible for developing plans to expand the accessibility of Illinois-grown and organic foods in the state.

Specifically, the task force will identify land preservation and acquisition opportunities, training and development programs for conventional farmers and those planning on entering the industry, financial and technical support to help develop new food and agriculture related businesses, and expand development of fresh food markets in underserved communities.

“A growing number of people rely on locally grown foods and organic foods.

"We need to help our farmers reach that segment of the market by providing them with the best advice and expertise so they become even more efficient.

"The task force created by this bill will help accomplish just that,” said Rep. Hamos.

“Fresh produce is largely unavailable in some inner-city regions at the same time as the agricultural community is struggling in rural areas.

"Governor Blagojevich and I believe that we need to work together as a State to address these issues and support the development of organic and locally grown foods,” said Sen. Collins.

The Task Force will be convened by the Department of Agriculture and will be comprised of 31 members, including a representative from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Human Services, and representatives from the agricultural, educational, and food retail sectors.

HB 1300 becomes effective immediately.

House Bill 1780, sponsored by State Representative Dan Reitz (D-Sparta) and State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Plainfield), extends the sunset date of the Conservation 2000 Fund from 2009 to 2021, and reestablishes the fund as Partners for Conservation.

The Partners for Conservation Program is a comprehensive, $196 million, multi-agency program designed to take a locally driven, long-term approach to protecting and managing Illinois’ natural resources.

Funds for the program are distributed under several natural resource related programs administered through the state Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Agriculture.

“This bill will help better protect and manage the state’s natural resources over a lengthier period of time.

"I’m proud to have sponsored this bill and I’m happy that Governor Blagojevich is signing into law,” said Rep. Reitz.

“This is common sense legislation that will allow for a better planning and management of our resources, and for a comprehensive, proactive approach to preserve them for future generations,” said Sen. Holmes.

Since 1996, the Conservation 2000 program has contributed over $173 million dollars for technical assistance and grants for locally managed conservation practices.

With more than 90 percent of the state privately owned, grants were targeted to non-state owned land.

Some of the major conservation accomplishments include restoration of 90,000 acres of habitat, 3.5 million feet of water and sediment control basins installed, over 4 million tons of soil saved from heading into our creeks and rivers, 400,000 acres of conservation tillage to prevent soil erosion, and nearly one-million citizens engaged and educated on the importance of watershed protection and managing Illinois’ natural resources.

HB 1780 is effective January 1, 2008.

For more information, call Abby Ottenhoff at 312-814-3158, Rebecca Rausch at 217-782-7355, Gerardo Cardenas at 312-814-3158, Jeff Squibb at 216-558-1546, or Matt Vanover at 217-782-4648.

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