May 2014 proclaimed as Illinois Beef Month

The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) is pleased to announce that May is Beef Month in Illinois. Governor Pat Quinn has signed the May Beef Month proclamation in recognition of the importance of Illinois’ beef industry to the state’s economy. The IBA is pleased to present the following proclamation:

Whereas, agriculture is one of the State of Illinois’ largest and most important economic drivers; and,

Whereas, agriculture is a diverse industry, both in terms of the commodities it produces and the businesses it supports; and,

Whereas, agriculture-related businesses employ nearly a quarter of the state’s workforce; and,

Whereas, ranked among the top five states in the nation, Illinois is home to 2,531 food companies, with many located in urban communities; and,

Whereas, one major facet of the agricultural landscape of Illinois is the beef industry, which currently produces 615 million pounds of beef per year; and,

Whereas, Illinois beef contributes over $800 million to the Illinois economy and supports more than 18,000 jobs throughout the state; and,

Whereas, the Illinois Beef Association represents many of the 14,800 beef producers in Illinois through producer education, consumer awareness, product promotion, and the advancement of economic and legislative interests; and,

Whereas, the State of Illinois recognizes that the foundation of the Illinois beef industry is the farmer, and the impact of this industry stretches beyond rural farm fields to urban communities; and,

Whereas, Illinois beef is not only found on Illinois plates, but is a supplier of choice to customers around the world; and,

Whereas, leading up to the summer grilling season, the Illinois Beef Association will begin many regional, state, and national efforts to promote beef in order to develop and maintain a profitable and sustainable beef industry; and,

Therefore, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim May 2014 as Illinois Beef Month in the State of Illinois and do hereby encourage all residents of the Land of Lincoln to support local farmers and our beef industry by recognizing its contributions to the social, cultural, and economic landscape of our state.

Join the IBA in promoting May Beef Month by sharing beef's story and to celebrate the start of summer grilling season. Various activities to promote beef in your area can be anything from visiting your local grocery store or restaurant, presenting beef sticks at a blood drive, visiting with students and teachers about beef, and much more. Contact the IBA office to receive Checkoff funded materials for use in beef promotion.