I imagine great qualities exist in cities and suburbs. I would not know. I have lived in the same rural community my entire life. I am proud of my farm roots, but also believe in the need to understand others.
Our great state benefits from many metropolitan areas, including our nation’s third largest city, Chicago. We also have suburbs, small communities, and farms. We often bear a label of either being from “Chicago” or “downstate.”
The farmers serving on Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) board of directors recognize bridging the urban, suburban and rural divide as a priority. We must listen to all perspectives, discover where we have common ground, respect various points of view and bridge the divide. I am not suggesting we compromise beliefs. I am suggesting we reach out, listen and seek understanding of one another.
Food connects us all. IFB works to build meaningful local food system partnerships, and we intend to grow these opportunities.
Food access and assistance impact rural, suburban and urban communities. We witnessed this during COVID-19 when disruptions impacted Illinoisans’ ability to access food. Working on these food issues allow us to truly impact our members and their communities, in conjunction with our role of providing food, animal feed and fuel globally.
With over a century of action, IFB continues our pledge to help build new partnerships and foster relationships between farmers and our suburban and urban neighbors. I invite you to join us.
Richard Guebert Jr. serves as president of Illinois Farm Bureau and COUNTRY Financial.
See more: Donating to Food Banks, Pantries Amidst the Pandemic
