BY JENNY WEBB
Illinois Farm Bureau held its 2025 Agribusiness Roundtable July 29 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago with the theme “Ag at a Crossroads: Perspectives from Capitol Hill to the Farm Gate.” The event united over 60 leaders from the food, agriculture, biofuels industries, including higher education, ag tech, venture capital, banking and more, for discussions on pertinent industry topics. The goal was to facilitate networking, encourage conversation and provide timely information and a forum for attendees to engage with producers and hear their authentic perspectives.
My role as staff involves building relationships in the food, agriculture and biofuels industries on behalf of our farmers. I see firsthand how important it is for industry leaders to have open, unfiltered dialogue about issues facing agriculture. This year’s event proved to be effective in creating that space.
Agribusiness Roundtable attendees heard from U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, whose remarks reflected her deep engagement with agricultural policy as a member of the House Agriculture Committee. Her insights on the farm bill, biofuels and trade sparked thoughtful questions from attendees and highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration and research.
Tom Bailey of Rabobank presented an analysis of consumer behavior and macroeconomic trends. He covered everything from how GLP-1 use is changing consumer food demand to how the Make America Healthy Again Report might impact the economic landscape. His presentation reminded attendees that consumer sentiment is not just a market signal, it’s a force that shapes the entire value chain.
One of the most powerful moments of the day was a panel of four Illinois farmers sharing their perspectives on the current agricultural landscape.
The discussion aimed to provide practical insights into how these farmers are responding to issues such as rising costs, market uncertainty, and shifting policies, as well as their strategies for building resilient operations. They addressed topics including low commodity prices, high input costs, and challenges related to global trade.
The panelists also discussed how they are adjusting their plans and decision-making processes to remain profitable, and what factors contribute to their outlook for the future. Attendees were anxious to ask questions and found the discussion on what gives farmers hope for the future, especially regarding opportunities for young people in agriculture, particularly impactful. They also valued hearing firsthand from farmers about their challenges.
Roundtable discussions at the end of the day allowed attendees to share observations and explore collaboration opportunities within the industry.
Several themes emerged from this discussion:
1. Agriculture is a shared responsibility. Farmers and consumers are partners in a shared ecosystem. Mutual understanding and collaboration are essential for a resilient food system.
2. Uncertainty is the common thread. From trade and tariffs to climate and market volatility, uncertainty was a recurring theme. Hearing directly from farmers impacted, rather than third parties, is invaluable.
3. Education and communication gaps exist. There’s a clear divide between urban and rural understanding of agriculture, and between university research and practical application. Bridging these gaps is critical.
4. Farmer-informed innovation: Technology and innovation must be shaped by farmer input. Solutions that don’t reflect real-world farming challenges risk being ineffective.
5. Consumer influence and misinformation: Influencers and social media can dramatically shape consumer behavior, and even harm farming reputations. One post can shift public perception, making education and transparency vital.
6. Policy vs. reality: Participants highlighted misalignments between legislation and on-the-ground farming needs, especially around food security, sustainability and market economics.
7. Partnerships matter: Cross-sector collaboration, between farmers, retailers, universities and government, for example, is key. Ideas like bringing farmers onto mainstream platforms (e.g., podcasts) could amplify their voices and build public trust.
I left the event feeling energized about Illinois Farm Bureau’s work in this space. And it seems I wasn’t the only one. Through platforms like Linked In, I’ve witnessed new idea exchanges and connections between individuals whose paths had not crossed previously. There was tangible enthusiasm as industry leaders left the room with new perspectives and a desire to collaborate.
The event reaffirmed Illinois Farm Bureau’s role not only as convenors, but as connectors. We have the ability to link policy, industry and farmers for meaningful conversations.
The farmer’s voice matters in these powerful rooms, and Illinois Farm Bureau is committed to standing with its farmer members, not just in the field, but elevating their voices in many rooms where decisions are being made. I am grateful to all who participated and look forward to representing Illinois farmers as I work with industry to address some of the challenges raised.
-Jenny Webb serves as Illinois Farm Bureau associate director of industry affairs.
Content for this story was provided by FarmWeekNow.com.