"A group of Illinois small farmers are meeting with members of Congress on Thursday in Washington to discuss their hopes for "transformational investments" in the next farm bill, which governs policy in the agricultural sector. As they see it, the new law could provide significant financial investment and protections that reduce economic inequality and racial injustice; build crop and human resilience to climate change and unpredictable weather; and improve access to nutritious food and sustainable, local systems."
"After purchasing a 4-acre plot in Galesburg in 2017 under the last farm bill, Demarkius Medley got a license to grow industrial hemp. "I was probably the first in Knox County to do it," said Medley, founder of Greenlords Pharms. "Definitely in town." He thinks he also might be the only Black farmer in Galesburg, possibly even in the county."
Illinois small farmers are meeting with members of Congress in Washington to seek transformational investments in the next farm bill. The farmers seek significant financial investment and protections to reduce economic inequality and racial injustice, build crop and human resilience to climate change and unpredictable weather, and improve access to nutritious food and sustainable local systems. The previous farm bill expired in September. The Illinois Stewardship Alliance and the Chicago Food Policy Action Council are leading meetings with six Illinois Agriculture Committee members, including Sen. Richard Durbin and five House members. After purchasing a four-acre plot in 2017, Demarkius Medley obtained a license to grow industrial hemp, believes he may be the only Black farmer in his area, experienced police scrutiny while working his land, and supports the Justice for Black Farmers Act.
Read at Chicago Tribune
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