As I write, according to the “old timers”, I’ve got about 10 more days left to plant my potatoes. Not sure where the old norm of getting tubers in the ground before Good Friday came from, but I do know those “old timers” will even get out there in the mud to make that deadline.

For me I’m moving at my own pace. Been planting spuds for over 30 years and never had a failed crop and made the Good Friday timeline only about half the time. So you will find me out planting those little starch carriers when the soil is fit and my back isn’t aching.

Plenty of angst in the farm community over trade tariffs imposed last month by the Trump Administration. With a majority of the potash we use for crops in the U.S. coming from Canada it will be interesting to see how producers react to fertilizer needs.

We at the Illinois Farm Bureau support a rules-based approach to trade, and our farmers simply cannot afford the uncertainty of a potential trade war. Farm income has declined for a second straight year, and we know from experience that farmers and rural communities are the first to suffer from retaliatory tariffs. We hope the administration will consider the economic impact on Illinois farmers and rural communities when contemplating tariff implementation.

Illinois is the largest total exporting state in the Midwest and the fourth largest in the country. Illinois is the third-largest exporter of agricultural commodities in the country. Total exports from Illinois in 2023 were estimated at $81 billion. Of that, approximately $13.7 billion can be attributed to agriculture. Since 2019, Illinois’ total exports have increased by $18.9 billion, or 31.7%. Export activities support over 800,000 jobs in Illinois

Illinois Farm Bureau continues to meet with Illinois congressional members to share our concerns about tariffs. Our message is clear:

Trade and tariffs are a real concern for our farmers and understand the significance in free trade. 

Trade and tariffs are a national legislative priority for IFB in 2025.

Our priorities are:

Defend trade deals for Illinois farmers,

Ensure blanket tariffs are not the trade policy of the United States,

Explore new markets for Illinois agricultural products, and

Expand current trade agreements, remove barriers, and increase demand for Illinois agriculture products. 

Export markets are a key to agricultural profitability.

Export markets for agricultural goods are essential for keeping farms financially healthy and trade figures represent significant contributions to farmers’ bottom line. 

Establishing new, diverse market opportunities and eliminating existing trade barriers are vital to the financial sustainability of U.S. agriculture.  

The U.S. continues to sit still and lose big on trade while our competitors strike new deals and expand market access/market share for their goods.  

Enforcing existing agreements and ensuring that countries uphold their trade commitments is crucial. 

Agriculture needs strong advocates for trade in Congress and the White House.  

Tariffs are a tax on the consumer.  The consumer will pay that tariff.  Tariffs will trigger retaliatory tariffs, and agriculture is always the focus of those retaliatory tariffs.  Rather than tariffs we would like to see the Trump administration expand current trade deals and create new trade deals. 

Ron Kern is the manager of the Ogle County Farm Bureau.