Mrvan starts 2026 by establishing new Agriculture Advisory Council 

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, District 1, Democratic Party 

Northwest Indiana is home to an extraordinary agricultural community that is essential, not only to our regional economy, but also to our national security and food security. 

I am grateful for every opportunity to visit with farmers across the First Congressional District, walk their fields, and hear directly about crop conditions and the real challenges they face from rising input costs, supply chain disruptions, and uncertainty from trade and tariff policies. 

Listening to farmers for me is not optional, it is essential. That is why, as Representative for Indiana’s First Congressional District, I am beginning this year with the formal establishment of an Agriculture Advisory Council. 

This Council will include a broad cross-section of Northwest Indiana’s agricultural community, including representatives from the Indiana Farm Bureau, the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance. My goal is simply to create a consistent forum where agricultural leaders can share their concerns with my office and help shape practical policy solutions that support family farms and rural communities. 

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have a responsibility to ensure the federal government is funded on time and in a thoughtful, bipartisan manner. There is significant work ahead for Fiscal Year 2026, and the Administration will soon release its budget proposal and hearings will begin for Fiscal Year 2027. 

The Agriculture Advisory Council will help ensure I am fully informed of Northwest Indiana’s priorities as Congress considers legislation affecting crop insurance, conservation programs, research, and federal programs farmers rely on. 

During my recent visits and conversations, I have heard clearly how current trade policies have created unnecessary uncertainty and made it harder for many farms to plan and remain profitable. New tariffs have increased production costs, limited access to key export markets, and immigration policies for the legal agricultural workforce that many operations depend upon has created unpredictability and new challenges. 

Rightfully so, farmers are also understandably frustrated to see $40 billion in American taxpayer dollars directed to Argentinian farmers and that countries like China are halting purchases of U.S. crops in response to trade disputes. 

This approach is unacceptable. Our farmers deserve trade policies that expand markets and provide predictability. We have our work cut out for us. 

But through honest dialogue and continued partnership with organizations like the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Growers Association, I believe we can be successful in fighting for fair trade, more responsive federal programs, and a future where Indiana agriculture continues to thrive for generations to come.