Agriculture and Rural Affairs

The binational Midwestern Legislative Conference Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee provides a forum for state and provincial legislators to exchange information and ideas on policies related to agriculture, a critical sector across the MLC region. This committee also is exploring challenges and opportunities for rural communities in the Midwest. Its activities include ongoing policy research, agriculture-focused webinars and in-person meetings.

Committee officers for 2023-2024 are Saskatchewan MLA Steven Bonk and Kansas Sen. Marci Francisco, co-chairs; and North Dakota Rep. Paul Thomas, vice chair. Legislators from the Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces serve on the committee.

The MLC Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee last met in July 2023 in conjunction with the Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting. The committee will meet again at the MLC Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, on July 21-24, 2024.

2023 committee meeting agenda »

The CSG Midwest staff liaison to the committee is Becky Leis.

Committee Leadership

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MLA Steven Bonk
Saskatchewan, Co-Chair
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Sen. Marci Francisco
Kansas, Co-Chair
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Rep. Paul Thomas
North Dakota, Vice Chair