For members of Congress, August is a chance to step away from Washington, D.C., and spend time back home to visit with the constituents that they represent. During the annual August recess, lawmakers can attend local events, tour industries that are significant to their district and hear more about what is happening in their communities straight from the source. For Illinois soybean farmers, that means opening the farm gate and inviting lawmakers to see agriculture up close.

With suits off and overalls on, a conversation about farming looks different when it happens outside of an office. Walking through a field, looking at equipment or discussing the decisions made throughout a growing season can tell a different story than a meeting around a conference table.  This August, Illinois soybean farmers welcomed legislators to their operations to discuss the issues affecting their farms and rural communities. Farmers shared what they are seeing in their fields, the challenges they are working through, and the decisions they make each year to keep their operations moving forward. A visit to a farm allows lawmakers to ask questions, see the operation and learn more about what goes into producing a crop.

Many of the issues discussed in Washington eventually connect back to the farm, such as transportation, trade, biofuels, conservation or the overall farm economy. A discussion about transportation looks different when it happens near the roads, railways and waterways farmers rely on to move crops. A conversation about conservation looks different when it comes from farmers who are putting those practices into place on their own land; cover cropping, no-till, etc.

These farm visits also show the changes taking place across agriculture. Farmers are using new technology, improving efficiency and making investments in their operations. They are constantly adapting to new challenges while continuing to produce the crops that support communities across Illinois and beyond.

Time spent back in the district is one of the most important parts of a lawmaker’s job. Away from Washington, elected officials have more opportunities to meet with the constituents they represent and hear directly about the issues affecting their communities straight from the source.  Farm visits are a shining example of this work. Agriculture is an industry built around decisions made every day, and seeing those decisions in practice can add another layer to the conversation. The discussions that begin during August continue into the year as lawmakers return to Washington and work through issues affecting agriculture.

Those conversations help maintain a connection between the people growing Illinois soybeans and the people making decisions that affect their operations. They also give lawmakers a better understanding of the people behind Illinois agriculture. Farmers are not only producing crops; they are managing businesses, supporting local communities, and making decisions that impact the future of their operations. By bringing lawmakers to the farm, Illinois soybean farmers can show what is needed every day across the state to run a farm and explain the challenges and opportunities facing modern agriculture.

If you are interested in hosting a legislator out to your farm and are an Illinois Soybean Grower Member, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Government Relations Team at govrelations@ilsoy.org.