AaronSchock

Agriculture

The number one industry in the 18th Congressional District of Illinois is agriculture.  In fact, the state’s 75,900 farms pour more than $6.4 billion into the Illinois economy, making it one of the top five largest industries in the state.  As such, we cannot improve Illinois by leaving agriculture behind.  We must provide a viable safety net to see farmers through the rough times.  This safety net must recognize the risks and rewards unique to agriculture and preserves a farmer’s ability to respond to changes in commodity markets.

Additionally, we must work to grow current agricultural markets and work to gain access to new markets.  To accomplish this goal, I support university-based and USDA-based agricultural research.  Everyday researchers in locations such as the Peoria’s Midwest Agriculture Research Service Lab are making discoveries that bring new uses for our agricultural commodities, improve farmer’s bottom lines and decrease the costs of the products we buy. 

To ensuring that these innovations move from the research bench to the farmer’s field, I support maintaining a strong Rural Development program within the USDA.  Rural Development assists the producer by helping to start farmer-owned cooperatives, provides start-up funding for new agribusiness and provides home loans to keep farmers on the farm.  In addition to assisting farmers, Rural Development helps to improve rural communities by helping fund municipal infrastructure from the tornado siren to the water system.