Lessons from a Kankakee County Farm and a U.S. President

By Melanie Holmes

Kankakee County farmer Jeff O’Connor, a Certified Crop Advisor and director for the Illinois Soybean Association, was an easy choice for the Biden administration’s recent visit to this area on May 11. As someone who regularly hosts legislators at his farm, O’Connor is used to it. But what farmers are not used to is feeling pleased by the USDA’s efforts under a Democratic president.

Every U.S. president gives a shout-out to farmers. They do feed the nation, after all. But this administration’s layering of what O’Connor called, “creative and innovative programs,” is the reason for his optimism – though time is of the essence. Fuel prices are straining farmers, and supply chain issues continue to cause problems.

At this time, USDA funding of domestic fertilizer production is being doubled (to $500 million). In the larger, long-term picture, the USDA wants to help farmers to use less fertilizer. This is where Mantenoan and Kankakee County Farm Bureau president Greg St. Aubin inserts a history lesson: “After World War II, stores of nitrogen for military purposes were converted to use as fertilizer when it was found to increase crop production.” St. Aubin continues, “However, most studies on how much nitrogen, if any, is needed in farming are from the early 1970s.”

A recent University of Iowa study shows that many farms over apply fertilizer. To this St. Aubin responds, “I agree.” He adds, “Farmers will trust land grant universities and information that funnels through university extension offices before the government, as a general rule.” This is what makes the university study even more important – credibility.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, who was also at the O’Connor farm on May 11, spoke of the 61,670 farm families who need help in a pandemic-riddled, Ukrainian grain-crisis world. Vilsack, who represented farmers as a small-town lawyer in the 1980s, and who has served as Iowa’s governor, brings a unique understanding to the table. However, farmers wonder how long it will take for infrastructure to be built that would alleviate America’s reliance on fertilizer imports (most of which come from China, Ukraine, Russia, and Canada).

One farming practice in particular need of attention is that of double-cropping, which is the planting of two crops on the same piece of land in one calendar year. In the past, farmers could afford insurance on this second crop; however, rising insurance prices have made insurance prohibitive. Farming is a risky business and, without insurance, it’s beyond stressful. Since double-cropping is good for both the economy and environment, the USDA would like to incentivize this practice. Vilsack spoke of increasing the number of counties nationwide that would be eligible for this insurance.

Asked how he felt after Pres. Biden’s visit, St. Aubin said, “Hopeful.” Indeed, if this administration makes good on these plans, it could be a boon for Kankakee county farmers who currently are not eligible for double-crop insurance. St. Aubin, always aware of Farm Bureau members’ feelings, said, “It’s not that any single president or administration has all the answers, but we at the Farm Bureau must do as much as possible for farmers with what we are given.”

At this point, all eyes are on the USDA.