CHICAGO, IL-State Sen. Ed Maloney (D-Chicago) was presented with the "Friend of Agriculture" award this week by the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB). The award is sponsored by ACTIVATOR, a program within the IFB that offers support to politicians who stand up for agriculture and protect the values of rural America.

"I am honored to receive this prestigious award from the Illinois Farm Bureau," Maloney said. "The IFB has done so much to promote agricultural awareness in our state and provide our citizens with a fundamental understanding of this industry. I am pleased to have their support and encouragement."

Maloney has participated in the IFB’s "Adopt-A-Legislator" program since 2004. The program links urban elected officials with local farm bureaus of rural communities. Senator Maloney is sponsored by the Stephenson County Farm Bureau. Each year, Senator Maloney provides trips to Stephenson County farms with residents from his district so that they can learn about the importance of agriculture to Illinois’ economy.

"The trips provide an excellent opportunity for my constituents to experience first-hand the inner workings of life on a farm," Maloney said. "When we go to the grocery store to buy a gallon of milk or a carton of eggs, we don’t stop to think about all of the work that goes into processing and delivering the product to the store. By providing an opportunity for urban residents to interact with rural farms throughout our state, they gain a better understanding and appreciation for agriculture in Illinois."

The Illinois Farm Bureau is a membership organization controlled by farmers who join the group through their county farm bureau. There are 96 county organizations in Illinois.