Agriculture
Agriculture is vital to the economy in Southern Illinois. The 12th district is the most diverse district in terms of agriculture in the State of Illinois, and I am proud to represent the more than 10,000 producers in our district with my position on the House Committee on Agriculture.
Our district is more than corn and soybeans, agricultural diversity can be seen throughout the district. The 12th district produces more than half of the horse radish in the United States. Rice, specialty crops, orchards, vineyards, livestock, and dairy can be found almost everywhere you look giving residents in Southern Illinois access to some of the best tasting wines along with fresh fruits, vegetables, pork, and beef right in their own back yard.
Protecting our agricultural economy is vital to the sustainability of our rural areas. For that reason, I am actively working on increasing rural broadband access for residents and businesses and increasing the accessibility of credit to our new and beginning farmers and ranchers so they can continue the agricultural heritage Illinois is famous for. I will continue to work to make sure the 2018 Farm Bill is being implemented within the scope of the law and work with my colleagues and grass root agriculture organizations to find new ways to reduce regulatory burdens that dampen the sustainability production agriculture.
For those involved in agriculture, it is a very expensive endeavor to see a crop through from planting to harvest. That is why I am committed to maintaining the safety net for producers that the 2018 Farm Bill established. Furthermore, I know the bounty that Southern Illinois can produce and I support efforts the United States Department of Agriculture has made in making sure food security is available to those who need it the most.
While there are still several years to go until a new Farm Bill will be discussed, Congress is not wasting any time doing full-scale reviews of every program to find out what is working and what isn’t in order to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars.
If you have any questions regarding agriculture policy, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-5661
More on Agriculture
September 14, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today applauded the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to deny “gap year” petitions for small refinery exemptions (SREs) and uphold the intent of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This decision will ensure that 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuels are blended into the nation’s fuel supply.
June 8, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (IL-12), John Shimkus (IL-15), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Rodney Davis (IL-13), and Darin LaHood (IL-18) authored a letter today to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging an appeal of the recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Court that vacated three registrations of dicamba and request a Section 18 Emergency Use Authorization to provide guidance for producers.
May 20, 2020
Press Release
CARBONDALE, IL– U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Illinois, the Illinois Farm Bureau, and Illinois AgrAbility today announced a partnership to provide job opportunities for Illinois veterans. Farm Corps will pair furloughed or unemployed veterans with agricultural producers who have an immediate need for on-the-farm labor.
May 19, 2020
Press Release
CARBONDALE, IL – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today applauded U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue’s announcement of the details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. This program will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to American farmers and ranchers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 30, 2020
In The News
To read the full article, please click here.
Calling it “excellent news” for farmers, Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) applauds news of an agreement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Senate passed the bill mid-month by an 89-10 vote. This after passing in the House, 385-41. The president signed the bill into law this week.
While he says this is a big win for farmers, Bost tells The Big Z it could have been bigger had it passed sooner.
January 29, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) today released the following statement regarding President Trump signing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):
January 16, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) today released the following statement regarding Senate passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):
December 19, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), bringing America’s trade relations with Canada and Mexico into the 21st century. It opens Canadian markets up to American dairy, wheat, and poultry products; addresses digital trade; and cleans up unfair trade enforcement provisions. The Senate is expected to consider USMCA in the new year before advancing to the president’s desk for signature.
December 11, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL) and Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to combat inadequate funding and teacher shortages in rural schools. The Rural Education Investment Act requires the Secretary of Education to determine the percentage of K-12 students living in rural areas and ensures it is equal to the percentage of Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grant dollars going to schools in rural areas.
December 10, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) today released the following statement following the Trump administration and Speaker Pelosi’s announced compromise on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):