Building Relationships to Represent Farmers: IL Corn Hosts Sen. Ellman on Family Farm

This past week, IL Corn welcomed Sen. Ellman on Gracie Pierson’s farm to learn more about agriculture and current issues impacting family farmers. Pierson farms with her father, Rodney Weinzierl, Executive Director at IL Corn.

Pierson walked Sen. Ellman throughout the property to learn how planters work, to scout emerging crops, and to consider Pierson's cover crop management. Together, they reviewed how a family farm runs and many of the decisions Pierson must make, from planting to harvest.

Sen. Ellman represents the 21^st Senate District, which includes parts of DuPage and Will counties in the western suburbs of Chicago. As a lawmaker serving primarily urban areas, opportunities like this farm visit are valuable for bridging the gap between rural and urban perspectives on food, farming, and conservation.

IL Corn thanks Sen. Ellman for taking the time to visit a farm to learn firsthand from 4^th generation farmer. Hosting lawmakers like Sen. Ellman builds stronger connections between Illinois agriculture and Illinois legislators and strengthens IL Corn’s efforts to connect family farmers with urban neighbors. These relationships help ensure that Illinois agriculture is well-represented in policy conversations and that our members’ voices are heard.