Keep No. 1 industry strong
Congresswoman will advocate for agricultural issues
As a young girl growing up in central Illinois, few things made me happier than my family’s regular trips to my grandparents’ hog farm in Milford.
I’d spend hours outside on the farm, playing with the baby pigs while taking in the sights, sounds, and yes, the smells. Ever since those days, I’ve had a deep-felt appreciation for farmers, and for the important role agriculture plays in keeping our communities great places to live, work, and raise a family.
That’s why, as a new member of Congress who represents a region like ours that relies on agriculture for a strong economy, I was excited to be appointed to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture.
As anyone can tell as they drive across our district, from Rockford to the Quad-Cities to Peoria and everywhere in between, agriculture and agricultural products are our No. 1 industry.
Not only is Illinois’ 17th Congressional District the home to thousands of farmers and millions of acres of farmland, but it is a world leader in agricultural products, including grain and oilseed production, as well as hogs and cattle.
It also is home to the headquarters of large manufacturing employers Caterpillar and Deere & Co., which employ thousands of workers in our region. The entire western border of our congressional district is met by the Mississippi River, on which the barge transportation of agricultural products is key to commerce in the region.
Additionally, the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, also known as the Ag Lab, is at the forefront of agricultural innovation. This includes finding new uses for crops and creating new technology that improves environmental quality and food safety. This clearly has the potential to create many new, good-paying jobs.
You get the picture: Agriculture is vitally important to the well-being of our economy and our way of life.
As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I will have the unique opportunity to be a strong advocate when it comes to keeping our No. 1 industry healthy and strong.
Keeping the agricultural industry vibrant will not only benefit farmers, but it will lead to economic development in communities across rural Illinois.
I’ll be a leader when it comes to fighting for value-added agricultural products and the biotech industry, both of which are creating jobs in Illinois communities large and small.
Finally, because I believe the agricultural industry, like any other industry, needs long-term certainty to plan for future investments and growth, I will push for the passage of a bipartisan, 5-year Farm Bill.
I look forward to traveling throughout the district to meet with farmers and others employed through agriculture in the coming weeks and months to hear firsthand their concerns and priorities. I’ll make sure our region always gets a seat at the table in Washington and that our values are taken into consideration.
This will ensure that future generations of Illinoisans are able to have the same appreciation for agriculture that I found as a child on my grandparents’ farm.
Note to readers – U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos represents the 17th District, which includes Whiteside and Carroll counties.
