Agriculture
Illinois family farmers know it’s more difficult to farm on the same land today that their predecessors farmed on generations ago. A changing world has brought new challenges, and I’m working to ensure Illinois remains a productive and sustainable hub for agriculture.
On the House Committee on Agriculture, I am our farmer’s trusted voice in Congress, making sure they have support to expand markets for their agricultural goods, get their crops insured against extreme weather events, and have their way of life protected for generations to come.
On the Committee, I will support rural communities on the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee and the Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee.
More on Agriculture
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) joined Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) and fellow Democratic Members of the House Agriculture Committee in the introduction of the Farm and Family Relief Act.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) to preserve and restore the Driftless Area between Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. By empowering farmers with voluntary conservation tools, the Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative (DALCI) Act reduces flood risk, improves water quality, and expands recreation and tourism activities in the Driftless Area.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is leading members of the Illinois delegation in a letter calling on President Donald Trump to take immediate action to end the trade war with China that is crushing the Illinois and American farm economy.
With President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China scheduled to discuss U.S. soybean and agricultural exports in their trade talks this week, it is critical that the two leaders reach an agreement before it’s too late for American farmers who will go bankrupt without a deal.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is demanding U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins use available federal funding to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of Americans in a letter with House Democrats.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced their bipartisan Flood Resiliency and Land Stewardship Act, which would improve flood and drought mitigation in agricultural communities across Illinois through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) today announced more than $1 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grants awarded to local farmers through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). These investments will help farmers across the 17th District reduce energy costs, improve efficiency, and continue feeding America with more sustainable operations.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced a major victory for the Peoria region, as the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), also known as the Peoria Ag Lab, will remain open and is even slated for growth. The release of the administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Agriculture Research Service (ARS) budget proposal includes potential growth for the NCAUR with research expansion.