11 FWS returns to the Kankakee area and begins working on the refuge • Representatives from Kankakee and Iroquois Counties toured the Cypress Creek US Fish & Wildlife Service refuge • Kankakee County Board vote 20 to 0 to reaffirm opposition to the refuge • Congresswoman Robin Kelly issues a letter opposing the refuge • FWS holds a ribbon-cutting • The City of Momence passes a resolution opposing the refuge • Illinois Farm Bureau begins facilitating conference calls between the staff of the FWS, county Farm Bureaus, and elected official offices • Farm Bureau petition of opposition garners 1,400+ signatures • State Senator Toi Hutchinson issues a letter opposing the refuge • State Representative Lindsay Parkhurst issues a letter opposing the refuge • Farm Bureau focus group held with members After a staffing change at US Fish & Wildlife Service, the local Farm Bureaus were invited to participate in the development of a Land Protection Plan for the Kankakee Refuge & Conservation Area. Illinois Farm Bureau proposed hosting and facilitating a focus group of farmers to outline their concerns and expectations for the future. To do that, Illinois Farm Bureau worked with a Rural Sociology graduate student at Illinois State University. A focus group was held on July 10, 2018. Twenty-five farmers were in attendance and their comments form the basis of this report. IFB Policy and Our Policy Development Process Illinois Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy development process provides members the opportunity to express thoughts and ideas on important issues impacting agriculture. When properly supported through the grassroots policy development process, these concerns are considered and may be adopted by more than 300 voting delegates representing 94 Farm Bureaus in the state, at the organization’s annual meeting each December. Policies approved at the annual meeting direct IFB’s legislative priorities and programming. It is from this grassroots input and direction that Farm Bureau realizes its strength as an organization to serve the needs of the members. Adopted policies become the public policy positions of IFB, and are re-affirmed or modified and approved every year. IFB policies that are national in scope are forwarded to the American Farm Bureau Federation for consideration during its policy-development process. Policies adopted at the AFBF annual meeting become both AFBF’s and Illinois’ public policy positions on national and international issues. Current IFB policy speaks to many relevant issues regarding conservation, wildlife, government programs, and private property rights. Relevant policy statements are highlighted throughout. 2015 2017 2018 2016 Policy 1: Philosophy of Farm Bureau We believe in the sanctity of private property and individual rights as provided by the U.S. Constitution, as the basis of American freedom and progress.