What We're Working On» August 2025

For some Illinois farmers, plasticulture is becoming the secret to a successful planting season.

“The biggest thing for us is warming up the soil and preventing weeds and that influenced us to go that direction,” said Carl Smits, owner of Smits Farm, during the Cook County Nutrient Stewardship Field Day hosted there Aug. 14.

Plasticulture refers to the use of plastic materials in agricultural production, including plastic mulch, landscape fabric, row covers, high tunnels and greenhouses. These tools can help increase yields and control weeds. Smits implements the practice on his family’s vegetable, herb and flower farm in Chicago Heights.

One of the key problems Smits was facing on his farm was weed pressure, as he was growing a crop using limited herbicides. He figured he could hand weed everything or prevent the weeds all together, and that’s how he started using plastic.

As the county’s largest general farm organization, Cook County Farm Bureau® is dedicated to bridging the gap between farmers and urban consumers. Through education programs targeting youth and their parents and programs designed to connect farmers with potential consumers, Farm Bureau members are actively engaging in conversations about food and the shared values between farmers and consumers.

An aspect of this is building opportunities for farmers, especially members, to expand or enhance their farming operations within the county. To that end, Farm Bureau’s role is to advocate for and educate legislative leaders about the diversity of the agricultural industry in Cook County.

Cook County is home to everything from rooftop gardens to massive food manufacturing plants and everything in between. On top of that, the region ranks*:
First for livestock and poultry employment,
Second for crop-related jobs, and
First for all other agriculture-related jobs.

In light of Farm Bureau policy #49 Urban Agriculture, which was developed and proposed by Cook County Farm Bureau in 2021, Farm Bureau asked City of Chicago Aldermen to support ordinance 2025-0018235, the sale of city property in the Pullman neighborhood for the purpose of creating an urban agriculture district.

Policy #49 supports the inclusion of urban agriculture into land developments and encourages the use of land management tools to create urban agriculture areas. The policy also recognizes the economic value and importance of urban agriculture to the economy.

Prior to the July Chicago City Council meeting, Farm Bureau sent the following letter in support of the ordinance:

Cook County Farm Bureau®, the county’s largest general farm organization, Supports O2025-0018235, the sale of City property in the Pullman neighborhood to be repurposed as the We Sow We Grow urban agriculture district. This project would include an education farm, a production farm, a Zen garden, and an orchard near the intersection of 120th Street and Union Avenue.

As the Glenview Park District considers the Wagner Farm Master Plan, Cook County Farm Bureau sent the following letter in support of the farm and the dairy operations at the farm:

In a county once dotted by farmers and the black and white façade of dairy cattle, Historic Wagner Farm is now the last working dairy farm in Cook County. The 18.6-acre farm not only boosts a working dairy operation but also provides urban families with a connection to local agriculture that would not exist without this unique aspect of the Glenview Park District.

The farm offers families from throughout the area the opportunity to experience a living history museum, animal interactions, interactive exhibits, farm stand, hands-on activities, ice cream shop, and fresh produce sold onsite and through community supported agriculture (CSA).

Farm Bureau delegates in December will tackle policy issues ranging from farm labor to wildlife management to postal service delays.

Resolutions Committee members, which include 18 county presidents and the Illinois Farm Bureau® Young Leader vice chair, met in July to consider 33 policy submittals from nine counties and a Regenerative Ag Working Group. They advanced 22 proposals and held two for more information.

IFB Vice President Evan Hultine, who chairs the committee, described the discussion as “full and robust.”

“The meeting highlights the value of the Resolutions Committee and process as all areas of the state were represented in those great discussions,” Hultine said. “I’m proud and appreciative of our county Farm Bureaus for the work they’re doing.”