Congressional Group Gets Close-Up Look at Farms and Issues

A group of 20 Congressional staffers received updates from farmers, Illinois Corn Growers Association staff and NCGA staffers this week as part of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club’s Congressional Tour. NCGA Manager of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Sarah Doese and NCGA’s Biotechnology and Crop Input Director Nicole Hasheider, joined the group on visits to numerous ag-related sites.

The tour, which happens every other year, give the Washington, DC Congressional staff a boots-on-the-ground look at farming and gain a better understanding of the industry and current key issues.

The tour included stops at a lock and dam facility on the Mississippi River, the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center, and multiple row crop and livestock farms in the area.

Tour participants heard about the benefits of ethanol and the importance of the biofuel to the farm economy. The group also engaged in conversations on the importance of trade and heard encouragement to pass the USMCA trade agreement from a number of presenters.