The mission: 23 IFB members met with members of Illinois’ Congressional delegation, federal agency officials and industry representatives to advocate for action on agricultural issues.

I was in town for an AFBF Council of Presidents meeting and joined the members for their meetings with U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and with U.S. Reps. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, and Eric Sorensen, D-Moline. I also separately met with U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, and Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro.

The challenge: Already extended one year, the 2018 farm bill is quickly approaching a Sept. 30 expiration deadline, and the upcoming election is setting the legislation up for another extension.

The opportunity: We used our Capitol Hill meetings to drive home to our elected officials what’s at stake in passing a farm bill in 2024 and encouraged them to reach a bipartisan consensus so farmers have certainty and direction around inputs and safety net decisions for our next crop.

IFB’s impact: Leaders to Washington is a cornerstone activity of Illinois Farm Bureau. Placing IFB members in a room with their elected officials ensures their voices are heard and Illinois agriculture is represented in major ag policy decisions. Thank you to the members who participated in July — your advocacy is part of what gives our organization its strength.