Late-winter deer hunting will no longer be allowed in 20 counties due to lower deer numbers. page 3
Farmer David Brown pumps up his bottom line with timely irrigation applications on crops. page 8
IFB Young Leader award finalists share their passion for farming and agricultural leadership. page 4-5
Organizations: Stop EPA’s proposed rule Monday, July 28, 2014
Two sections Volume 42, No. 30
DAZZLING DISPLAY
BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek
A diverse group representing a variety of industries — agriculture, construction, real estate, mining, manufacturing and energy — urged members of Congress recently to put the brakes on a proposed rule redefining “waters of the U.S.” The Waters Advocacy Coalition, which includes American Farm Bureau Federation, supports HR 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act. The bill would block the proposed rule, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers, for two years. Under the bill, the agencies must consult with state and local officials, and draft an agreeable proposal, which must be submitted to Congress within two years. “HR 5078 would lead to a better rule by requiring the agencies to conduct a transparent, representative and open consultation with state and local officials to develop a consensus about those waters that should be under federal jurisdiction,” the group wrote to leaders of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “Consistent with the Clean Water Act, all other waters would remain under the jurisdiction of the various states where they can appropriately address the diversity and variability of water and land features, and how best to protect them.” The bill, introduced by Rep. Steve Southerland, RFla., recently passed out of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Illinois Farm Bureau urges its Illinois congressional delegation to support HR 5078.
Periodicals: Time Valued
See EPA page 3
Water from an irrigation rig creates a rainbow over a field in White County during a pleasant summer day. Irrigation can significantly boost crop yields, even in a ‘’wet” year such as this season, particularly on light, sandy soils in southern Illinois. See more about irrigation on Page 8. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
Hundreds respond to IFB action request
Hundreds of Illinois Farm Bureau members recently flooded White House phones, urging President Barack Obama to “ditch the rule” redefining “waters of the U.S.” Adam Nielsen, IFB’s national legislative director, said members made 935 calls during IFB’s recent twoday action request. “That’s an overwhelming response in a short period from nearly 1,000 individual Illinois farmers who are rightly concerned about the potential impacts of EPA’s rule on their farms,” Nielsen said. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy recently called some concerns over the proposed rule “ludicrous.”
“Their concerns are not trivial, ludicrous or mythical; they are legitimate,” Nielsen said. “There’s no question our members captured the attention of both the White House and EPA, and we will work over the coming weeks to build on momentum of the recent call to action.” IFB encourages members to submit comments about how the proposed rule would affect them. Members who want help writing comments should send a draft to either Lauren Lurkins at llurkins@ilfb. org or Adam Nielsen at anielsen@ilfb.org. Members who have already written and submitted comments to EPA should email a copy of them to Andrew Larson at alarson@ilfb.org.
Illinois voter registration goes electronic BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
Illinois now offers an electronic, paperless voter registration. In late June, Illinois joined 19 other states that offer online voter registration. To vote this November, Illinoisans must submit online registration applications by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 7 at {https://ova.elections.il.gov}. Online voter registration allows Illinois residents to register similar to how they have in the past. Instead of completing a paper application, individuals fill out a form via an Internet site and submit their paperless form electronically. As of last week, 1,113 individuals submitted online applications in Illinois. Anyone registering online must have an Illinois driver’s license or identification card from the secretary of state’s office,
an official with the Illinois State Board of Elections told FarmWeek. The State Board of Elections uses numbers from a driver’s license or state-authorized ID card to verify information, explained Kyle Thomas, director of voter and registration systems. An individual registering online also must submit the last four digits of his or her Social Security number. An applicant must further check a box on the electronic form to affirm that he or she is the person completing the See Voter, page 9