Illinois Farm Bureau takes Managers to the capital every year to get a better understanding of IFB’s lobbying efforts in Washington. They visited news organizations, industry, and Congressional offices while in the capital.
The trip was led by Ryan Whitehouse, Director of National Legislation and Allie Speer, Associate Director of National Legislation. Twenty county Farm Bureau managers from diverse counties around the state attended the trip. Managers visited with staff from American Farm Bureau Federation to learn about the process of setting policy for AFBF from state organizations. They heard a panel discussion of agriculture policy journalists from Politico and how they create and deliver stories about ag policy. They were fortunate to have meetings with staff from both Illinois Senators offices, including meeting with the Chief of Staff for Senator Duckworth. They took a tour of the Capital Building and visited with staff from Representative Darin LaHood’s office. LaHood (IL-16) is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which handles all matters relating to revenue for the country. The trip concluded with a visit to ADM Headquarters to discuss their global and domestic policies. Major topics of discussion during the trip were trade relations, the need and desire for the passage of a new Farm Bill, and potential impacts of changes to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is slated to be discussed next year. They also discussed the best ways to communicate with our national legislators, and what is the most effective and important way that we as CFB managers can tell our members’ stories to Congress. Overall, this conference showed managers an in-depth look at the advocacy work that Illinois Farm Bureau does on behalf of our members. These meetings and connections attended are a testament to the work that Ryan and his team do on behalf of our members. They got a small snapshot of the wide range of issues that IFB lobbies for on Capitol Hill. Counties that attended were Wayne/White, Kane, Bond/Fayette, Randolph, Mason/Menard, Knox, Franklin, Coles, Madison, St. Clair, Hamilton/Jefferson, Edwards, Clark, Jasper, Cumberland, Greene, Montgomery and McLean. Illinois Farm Bureau also offers this trip to leaders in the county. Contact your Manager for more information!
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AuthorParker Hutchcraft, FCFB Manager Archives
January 2025
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