Belleville, IL - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today held a forum with farmers after a tour of Eckert’s Orchard in Belleville, IL along with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue. They discussed agriculture issues and ways to improve the farming industry in Southern Illinois.

“Agriculture is vitally important to the economy of Southern Illinois and to our entire country,” said Bost. “Making sure our farmers’ needs are being met is vital to their success. Today’s forum was an opportunity for the most influential person in American agriculture policy to hear directly from Southern Illinois’ farmers. I will continue to work alongside Secretary Perdue and the Trump administration to make sure we move forward to help our farmers succeed. When America’s farmers succeed, the country succeeds.”

“(Mike) can bring the perspective of working folks in Illinois to D.C. and we need that very much so,” said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. “It’s good to have him in there fighting for your interests. He is elected to listen to the people and communicate that to me. It is important for me to hear what he hears – plus I love farmers and to get out of DC to the rural countryside, to see production agriculture and great places like Eckert’s here with farm to table education opportunities.”

 

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