The Illinois Department of Agriculture is back at the Farm Progress Show this year with a new display and a key message for visitors: “How can the Department of Agriculture help you?”

“We want to assist farmers and answer any questions they have,” says John Sullivan, director of IDOA.

Staff will be on hand to answer questions about:

“The Farm Progress Show is a one-stop shop for farmers,” says Erin Cleary, IDOA bureau chief of marketing. “That’s why we felt it was important to have representatives on hand to answer questions about how you can grow your business or operation in our state. In addition, we encourage folks to stop by and learn more about our marketing programs, learn tips for protecting your flock or herd, or what you need to know to protect your investment when storing grain.”

Cleary also looks forward to sharing good news from the department. “The Department of Ag is largely a regulatory agency. We look forward to showing the men and women of our industry what the department has been doing to make it easier for them to do business with the state of Illinois.”

Saving farmers time

“We have been modernizing and streamlining various processes, eliminating obsolete or duplicative provisions that are unnecessarily time-consuming for our customers,” Clearly says, “and reducing unnecessary regulations in the hopes of spurring growth and development in our industry.”

Also, look for more information this year on the department’s Homegrown by Heroes program. Cleary says the special logo program is for veterans who have started a second career in agriculture.

“Those who qualify for the program will receive a special logo to help them promote and market their products or business, and we’ll have applications on hand,” she says.

IDOA will also have information on its pollinators program. Seed packets will be given to grow your own wildflowers.

The Farm Progress Show is Aug. 27-29 in Decatur, Ill.