McLean County Farm Bureau board member, Austin Baer, visited with members of Congress and policy makers during the IL Farm Bureau Leaders to Washington trip March 17-18, 2026.

Discussions focused on farm economic issues including commodity prices, input costs,
trade, transportation, inland waterways infrastructure, and the Farm Bill.

The group of nine IFB members met with legislators, USDA, EPA, Department of Health and Human Services, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative and visited the White House.

Baer shared the importance of crop insurance and passing a five year Farm Bill in meetings with members of Congress.

Participants also met with representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and staff members at American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Grain and Feed Association.

The Leaders to Washington program takes farmers to the nation’s capital to advocate for
agriculture on key issues.