SPRINGFIELD, Ill (WICS) — Wednesday is the fourth annual Black Farmers and Growers Lobby Day…where cultivators and advocates alike from across the state will make their voices heard on the importance of farming in the state.

We’re breaking down exactly how that impact could be felt locally.

From recognizing Black farmers and growers week, to developing urban and rural food partnerships, local Black farmers are taking the fight to create reliable food systems in Illinois straight to lawmakers.

NewsChannel 20’s Emily Jordan spoke to Yves Doumen, the founder of Motherland Community Project, a program that works with neighborhoods and communities in Springfield’s east side to transform vacant land into urban farms…making healthy, fresh food accessible.

"So, Motherland Community project is an ecosystem of program. And when I say ecosystem of program, is we view our model on having the community right here, involved in production, consumption, and the transformation of produce,” Doumen said.

Doumen said one of the main issues facing black farmers and growers is infrastructure.

"And you can look around here just to take like, an example. Everything we do here at Motherland we do with our hands. See how big it is and see how physically demanding it can be. And if we were to have infrastructure, which are like equipment, farm equipment, storage capacity, we could do even better,” Doumen said.

Storage is a key part. Doumen said without sufficient storage capacity, farmers and growers like him can’t bring their product to the market.

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance is one of the key figures for lobby day…a statewide organization that focuses on food and farm policy.

Liz Rupel, the deputy director, said they’ve been working to expand infrastructure for farmers like Doumen to help address food deserts in Illinois.

"How easily can I access a grocery store in my community? Can I walk down the street? Do I have to walk several miles? Am I in a rural community and I have to drive thirty miles? So, if you are a certain distance away from accessing fresh food, that could signify that you are in a food desert,” Doumen explained.

That bill, House Bill 4922, would fund farmers who have historically faced systemic barriers and help them feed their communities.

But it’s one of many this lobby day.

Below you can find a quick summary of the bills being championed today:

HR726 would create a Black Farmers and Growers week to celebrate the history and future of Black farming communities and their contributions to agriculture.

SB2778 or HB5235 would address food insecurity across the state, changing the eligibility requirements for providers to access funding for hunger-relief. Right now, only food banks can receive this funding.

HJR55 would create legislation to protect Illinois farmland from large-scale development projects. The goal is to align clean energy goals and farmer interests—like safeguarding soil health—while making sure rural landowners and their communities aren’t hurt by those changes.

HB4286 would make changes to the Cannabis Equity Commission.

HR 667 would create partnerships between urban and rural communities to build a better, more reliable food system across the state, and work to fix the key issues they’re facing.

Officials said days like these are important not only to influence policy decisions, but to show up, and build connections.

Rupel said it’s a key opportunity to hear straight from farmers and growers in the state.