Rep. Robin Kelly joins roundtable with Illinois Soybean Association to discuss investment in rural communities

DANVILLE, ILL. - Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) joined a roundtable hosted by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) at the Gilbert Street Cafe that focused on strategies for increasing and sustaining investment in rural communities throughout the US. The roundtable featured three more key stakeholders dedicated to rural advancement: Bryan Severs, local farmer and ISA Director; JT Barnhart, OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center and Sacred Heart Medical Center (Danville); and Illinois State Senator Paul Faraci.

The conversation aimed to identify practical steps to ensure that rural areas receive the attention and investment they need to thrive. Topics included the importance of improving rural healthcare, investment in transportation infrastructure, market development initiatives through the Soy Innovation Center, and the critical role of agricultural research in addressing rural America's specific challenges.

"I'm proud to represent a district that has over 4,500 farms, with a vast majority of them owned by families," said Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02). "Families in rural areas deserve high-quality healthcare, access to internet, and innovative technologies that support sustainable agriculture. These are all resources that help families and their farms thrive."

"Access to comprehensive, affordable health care is vital to the wellbeing of our rural communities," said Senator Faraci (D-Champaign). "Today's roundtable emphasized the need to enhance rural health care services to ensure residents receive the care they deserve. By supporting initiatives that prioritize rural health care, we can address the unique challenges these communities face and improve the quality of life for rural families."

ISA highlighted its commitment to advocating for rural communities and supporting local farmers.

"I've seen firsthand how the checkoff improves the success of farmers in rural communities" said Bryan Severs, farmer in Vermillion County and the treasurer for ISA. "I shared with change-makers and community groups the many ways the checkoff serves soybean farmers, and in turn helps support rural communities. From investments to increase rural broadband access to work to find solutions for Illinois' aging transportation infrastructure, and promoting new soybean uses while supporting agriculture research to manage crop production risks, the checkoff is working for farmers and communities all across the state to ensure rural America not only survives but thrives."

JT Barnhart of OSF HealthCare shared how impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still felt and being mitigated by emergency rooms, which are flooded with patients who may have gone without care due to restricted access to routine care.

"The expansion of broadband and internet services in rural communities will definitely go a long way in helping systems like ours to expand access, whether that's by going into communities physically or through the expansion of telehealth coverage," said Barnhart.

The event underscored the importance of collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and community representatives to drive meaningful conversation and change about rural communities' growth and development.