ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (October 26, 2026) — Family farmers from Illinois and Iowa gathered Wednesday, October 21 to discuss the issues facing them and their communities in the shadow of the 3-year anniversary of the 2018 Farm Bill expiring.
Illinois and Iowa farmers shared how they are facing high input costs, including record-high diesel prices, and a weakening farm economy that mirrors the farm crisis of the 1980s. Coupled with a lack of domestic and international markets, family farmers’ profits are declining while the cost of farming continues to rise.
“Farmers across the state of all types are struggling more and more to pay the bills, bring home a livable wage, and keep their farming operation afloat,” said John Williams, Illinois Farmers Union Advisory Committee Chair, after the event.
“Today was a great opportunity to come together and share with each other the importance of working together and pushing for better farm policy to help family farmers across the state and nation and to start looking for solutions that are not just slapping bandages on continued wounds.”
Farmers Union members also shared examples of how corporate consolidation has reduced competition in their communities and driven up prices at the grocery store, further suppressing profit margins.
Farmer and rural advocate Will Westmoreland also joined the conversation and shared updates from his travels across the country speaking to farmers and their communities. Westmoreland advocated for farmers to share their stories as widely as possible and to remain deeply engaged in the civic process to ensure that rural voices are heard in the midterm elections.
Illinois Farmers Union advocates on behalf of Illinois farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice.
Learn more about us at nfu.org/illinois-farmers-union/.
