Guebert: We’ve got work to do

We’re facing tough times in agriculture right now. You’ve most likely heard the phrase “flatten the curve” and certainly learned what COVID-19 — coronavirus — is by now.

While I expected challenges in 2020, I couldn’t have guessed that three months into the year the country would be facing a global health crisis. We’ve all been washing our hands more frequently and hunkering down with our loved ones.

We follow the news as the situation continues to rapidly evolve. Even though farmers are used to isolation, it’s been concerning to watch this unfold.

Fieldwork must still be done, animals must still be cared for and crops have to be put in the ground. We’ve got work to do and so does the entire supply chain.

Fortunately, we have some leeway to do it.

On March 20, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a Shelter in Place Order across the state through at least April 7. This stay-at-home order, among other actions, urges citizens to participate in social distancing measures and mandates that all “non-essential” businesses and operations be closed.

We’ve kept communication lines open with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the governor’s office during all of this. Before the governor’s announcement, I joined IFB Vice President Brian Duncan and a few IFB key leaders to speak via conference call with IDOA Acting Director Jerry Costello to share our concerns.

During the call, we emphasized to Director Costello the continued need for state government to recognize agriculture as a critical piece of the food supply chain.

Rightfully, the agriculture industry has been defined as an “essential” industry across the state, and all aspects of agriculture are exempt from the governor’s order.

Recognizing the ag industry as an essential service demonstrates the important role Illinois farmers have in feeding our neighbors across the country. We truly appreciated the opportunity to share our concerns with Director Costello.

With all the stress and challenges — spiraling commodity prices, stock market dives, ethanol plants’ viability threatened, supply chain pressures — there’s a hard impact felt throughout the industry.

But rest assured that Illinois farmers are open for business and stand committed to their promise to feed and fuel this great nation. Especially now, packing plants are open, trucks are moving, supply is moving and ag is moving.

Amid all the chaos, there is a positive: Canada’s passage of the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement. Canada’s ratification was the final approval needed to begin the process of implementation across the three countries. USMCA signals a new chapter for North American trade that Illinois farmers are eager to take part in.

Additionally, there was a silver lining for the future of the ethanol industry.

The Trump administration announced they would not appeal the recent 10th Circuit Biofuels Ruling, which holds that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency abused its discretion in granting Small Refinery Exemptions to three small refineries in 2016. This is a big win as it establishes a precedent going forward and helps restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Illinois Farm Bureau was glad to see the administration and EPA officials took our members’ concerns seriously when we visited Capitol Hill during the annual March Leaders to Washington trip.

At the end of March, a bipartisan stimulus package was passed by Congress. The package included funding for the Commodity Credit Corp. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Secretary. Both will help support farmers who are struggling at this time.

We don’t know how long it will take for normal activities to resume in the United States and around the world. But even as we maintain social distances, we’re all in this together — and apart doesn’t equal alone.

Let’s say a prayer of thanks for all farmers that keep our grocery shelves full during this pandemic. And give a round of applause to the truck drivers, grocery store workers, healthcare professionals and the other heroes on the front lines risking their health to take care of their communities.

Even during this national emergency, we continue to work on behalf of our members. Our farm families across the state are #StillFarming to provide a safe and sustainable food supply from their table to yours.

Richard Guebert Jr. is the president of Illinois Farm Bureau. His family farm in Randolph County grows corn, soybeans and wheat.