Farmers Go to Washington Trip

Imagine an armed guard standing outside a room fortified with the latest security systems. Opaque shades prevent a wireless signal form entering or leaving the room. Everyone inside is sworn to secrecy. After all, the secrets held inside could "make or break" you.

Sounds like a spy movie, but it's not. It's the USDA Crop Report lockup, and you can be part of it! Every August, Illinois Farm Bureau hosts the "Marketers to Washington" trip, where farmers travel to our national's Capitol to see the release of the Crop Report.

"Participating in the actual lockup was an amazing experience," said Jerry Watson, Champaign County farmer. "It was interesting and exciting to be at the very location where news that would impact our markets here at home was being assembled."

Participants do much more than sit in on the lockup, though. You'll meet with government agencies and industry experts about hot marketing topics like biotechnology, crop insurance, and the Farm Bill.  

Applications are typically due early June.
Travel is in August, timed with the crop report.