Agriculture and Rural Affairs
The bipartisan, interstate and binational Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee provides a forum for state and provincial legislators to share ideas and information on key policy issues, especially those identified by its members. Committee activities include policy research, webinars for legislators and legislative staff, and in-person meetings.
The committee will next meet on Aug. 30 in Saint Paul, Minn., as part of the 2026 MLC Annual Meeting.
About the committee members
The committee includes legislators from MLC member states and provinces; membership is updated every biennium through appointments by state and MLC leadership. In 2025–26, the committee co-chairs are North Dakota Sen. Paul Thomas and Nebraska Sen. Teresa Ibach, with Illinois Rep. Brad Fritts and Minnesota Sen. Robert Kupec serving as co-vice chairs. Becky Leis is the CSG Midwest staff liaison.
On the first day of the Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting, the six interstate, binational and bipartisan policy committees of the MLC will meet and offer programming for all attendees. These Aug. 30 sessions kick off the four days of learning, collaboration and relationship building offered to legislators and others who attend the MLC Annual Meeting, which is being held in Minnesota's capital city of Saint Paul.
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The accelerated rollout of the Rural Health Transformation Program has created both opportunities and challenges for state policymakers. This webinar provided an overview of how states are approaching implementation, oversight, and emerging strategies such as alternative payment models and value-based payment.
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This webinar gave state leaders a clear understanding of the fundamentals of farm succession planning and practical ways to reduce barriers that hinder generational transfers—helping ensure long-term stability in local agricultural economies.
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Hear about the Alliance for the Great Lakes new report on emerging water uses, such as data centers, agriculture,…
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In conjunction with the 79th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saskatoon, Sask., the MLC Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee will meet and lead policy sessions. The MLC Annual Meeting is being held July 27-30.
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Led by The Council of State Governments' Midwestern Legislative Conference Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, this webinar focused on the current economic pressures on agricultural businesses, big and small.
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