Illinois corn checkoff dollars are being invested by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board in Illinois Farm Families, an effort that is collaborative between ICMB, IL Soy, IL Beef, IL Pork, and the IL Farm Bureau. Corn farmers have indicated that it’s important that farm groups work together to address consumer concerns. In Illinois, we’re doing just that.

Field Moms share their farm tour experiences

Chicago moms applied throughout the summer to be chosen for a program called, “Field Moms.” As a Field Mom, these women would be given open access to farms in the Chicagoland area so they can learn more about farms, farmers, and food.

Since our first farm tour in October, the Field Moms have been sharing their experiences in blog posts, photos and videos on watchusgrow.org. Judging from their reactions and in-depth questions, the Field Moms were engaged and gained a new appreciation about food and farming. 

Many of the Field Moms were interested in the relationship of resources on the farms. Field Mom Betsie Estes says, “What struck me was how everything here was interconnected. Some of the corn and soybeans that are grown go into the feed for the animals, then the manure is used to fertilize the fields, and so on.” Read more.

Field Mom Farrah Brown felt more confident about how farmers make decisions. She shared, “The important things I learned on the farms have little to do with specific numbers and details. I walked away feeling so very impressed with how intentional they are about their farming. I don't have to get bogged down in the details because they do that for me. For all of us.”  Read more.

Read other Field Moms’ perspectives on the Illinois Farm Families blog and watch video highlights of the first Field Moms farm tour.

See what the Field Moms experienced on their first tour at the Martz and Drendel family farms. Visit www.watchusgrow.org/Follow-Our-Tours.html to read their blogs, see photos and watch tour videos.

Getting Involved

Join the Illinois Farm Families activities by contacting the Illinois Corn office. You can also visit www.watchusgrow.org/farmer to find a volunteer form and get involved with social media and blogging, retail events, farm visits, presentations or farmers markets.

About Illinois Farm Families

Illinois Farm Families are Illinois farmers who support Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association, and Illinois Beef Association. We are committed to having conversations with consumers, answering their questions about food, farmers, and farming, and sharing what really happens on today’s Illinois family farms. More than 94 percent of Illinois farms are family owned and operated. We are passionate about showing consumers how we grow safe, healthy food for their families, and ours.

Funded in part by the Illinois soybean checkoff, Illinois corn checkoff, Illinois pork checkoff, Illinois beef check off, and the Illinois Farm Bureau.