3 PURPOSE The Kankakee area is home to natural treasures – miles of beautiful river, wildlife, and agricultural scenes that locals and tourists enjoy. Our Kankakee landscape has also been the foundation that has helped our community succeed, grow, and thrive. Kankakee farmers and landowners are proud caretakers of the land. We know land is a natural resource and we work hard every day to protect it. We’ve been doing the right things for the right reasons. Farms are ecosystems in and of themselves. From the soil, to the animals that live there, to the crops, each has an important role to play. A change in this delicate system can have wide-reaching effects. Farmers understand that the decisions they make on their land must be considered carefully. “Farmers are stewards of the land. We want to protect the wildlife around us. We live out here, and we enjoy nature as much as the suburban and urban person looking for their weekend getaway.” - Dustin Spears, farmer Farmers have always cared for the land. They understand, more than anyone, the vital role that healthy soil, water, and wildlife play in producing an abundant harvest and a better planet for all of us. This report was developed by the farmer members of the Kankakee County and Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureaus. The purposes of the report are many. Of immediate importance is the need to provide information that will be used by the US Fish & Wildlife Service in the development of their Land Protection Plan for the Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge & Conservation Area. The report offers an introduction to Farm Bureau, a history of agriculture in the area, and a synopsis of the contributions agriculture makes to the local economy and culture. The report then documents past and continuing concerns of local farmers regarding the establishment of a Wildlife Refuge. Lastly, the report outlines expectations and recommendations for the US Fish & Wildlife Service for the future. Absent a truthful and meaningful effort on the part of the US Fish & Wildlife Service to understand and work with farmers in this region, relationships will remain strained and conservation efforts will be hampered. These recommendations are meant to create and foster a better working relationship for the duration of the agency’s conservation efforts in this region.