Midwest Council on Agriculture Celebrates National Ag Week and Calls on Agriculture Leaders to Unite
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2026
In celebration of National Agriculture Week, the Midwest Council on Agriculture (MWCA) is highlighting the importance of a strong, unified agricultural voice and inviting producers, agribusinesses, ag lenders, cooperatives, and rural advocates to join its bipartisan coalition of diverse agriculture interests.
National Ag Week is a recognition of the role agriculture plays in feeding our nation, sustaining rural communities, advancing innovation, and strengthening the economy. It also is a reminder that the challenges facing agriculture today, from market volatility and labor shortages to environmental pressures and federal policy uncertainty, require collaboration across commodities, regions, and political lines.
“Agriculture is too important to be divided,” said Perry Aasness of Compeer Financial, President of the MWCA. “The Midwest Council exists to bring together a broad spectrum of agriculture stakeholders to find practical, bipartisan solutions that ensure agriculture remains strong, competitive, and resilient for the next generation.”
Why Join the Midwest Council
The Midwest Council is a member-driven, bipartisan coalition committed to advancing common-sense agriculture policy through collaboration and shared expertise. Members benefit from:
• A Unified Voice in Policy Conversations
By working together, diverse agriculture interests amplify their impact in state and federal policy discussions—ensuring decision-makers hear directly from those who live and work in agriculture every day.
• Bipartisan Problem-Solving
Agriculture thrives when solutions rise above politics. The Midwest Council fosters dialogue across party lines to promote stability, certainty, and long-term growth for the ag economy.
• Representation Across Agriculture
From row crop and livestock producers to agribusinesses, ag lenders, commodity groups and rural development leaders, the coalition reflects the full breadth of Midwest agriculture.
• Strategic Engagement and Education
Members engage in policy briefings, issue-specific working groups, and agriculture-focused leadership development—helping shape policy and prepare the next generation of ag leaders.
• Stronger Rural Communities
A healthy agriculture sector supports jobs, infrastructure, and opportunity throughout rural America. The Midwest Council focuses on policies that strengthen both farms and communities.
Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future
During National Ag Week, the Midwest Council also recognizes the generations of farm families and agriculture professionals whose innovation and stewardship have made American agriculture the envy of the world. Today’s leaders carry that legacy forward by working collectively to address modern challenges and position agriculture for continued success.
“National Ag Week is a reminder of the successes and challenges of our nation’s agriculture system,” Aasness added. “Together, we can ensure agriculture remains a positive cornerstone of our economy, our food system, and our way of life.”
Get Involved
The Midwest Council invites agriculture stakeholders from across the region to join the coalition and be part of a growing, bipartisan effort to shape the future of agriculture.
Learn more or become a member at www.midwestcouncil.org.
About the Midwest Council
The Midwest Council is a bipartisan, membership-based coalition dedicated to advancing agriculture through collaboration, education, and policy engagement. Representing a diverse range of agricultural interests, the Council works to elevate practical solutions that strengthen farms, agribusinesses, and rural communities throughout the Midwest.
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