Metro East Sun

Mike Bost, Representative of Illinois, said that he is working to advance policies for Southern Illinois farmers, including tax relief, the Farm Bill, and agricultural labor reform. The statement was made on X.

"It was great to meet with leaders from the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives today to talk about how we can keep Southern Illinois agriculture strong," said Bost, U.S. Representative. "We discussed protecting Section 199A tax relief for family farms, the next steps for the Farm Bill, and the urgent need to fix our broken ag labor system. I'll keep pushing for policies that put our farmers first."

According to DTN Progressive Farmer, Section 199A tax relief and Farm Bill negotiations have become central concerns for Southern Illinois agriculture. Family farmers and cooperatives are pushing for the retention of tax deductions to counteract rising costs and labor shortages. The ongoing debate also highlights calls for reform of the H-2A guestworker visa program to address persistent agricultural labor issues across the region.

The Illinois Farm Bureau reports that family farms in Southern Illinois generate over $4 billion in annual economic activity, support more than 35,000 jobs, and play a key role in regional food systems and export markets. This reflects their substantial impact on the local and state economy.

A 2023 report by the Illinois Department of Agriculture found that nearly 60% of Illinois producers experienced agricultural labor shortages in the past five years. Unfilled farm positions have increased by over 40% since 2019, especially in specialty crop and livestock sectors.

According to the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Bost is the U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 12th District and has been serving since 2015. His legislative priorities include veterans’ affairs, agriculture, and rural economic development. He previously served as a state legislator and firefighter.