SHERRARD, Illinois Krista Swanson is a fifth-generation farmer. So is her husband. They have three young daughters who they hope that, one day, will be the familys sixth generation of corn and soybean growers.

That dream is looking dim right now. Here in central Illinois the number one soybean-producing state grain farmers have lost a whopping 20 to 25 percent of the value of their crops since March, when President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced $60 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports. China, which buys the bulk of U.S. soybean exports, responded in April with a 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans.

When Trump followed up in May with more tariffs , this time on trading partners like Canada and Mexico, Swanson watched the value of her crops plummet.

You actually lose every day, said Swanson, a member of the Knox County Farm Bureau. Youre still paying to go to work and back, and make and buy lunch, but youre losing money. Who would want to keep doing that, you know?

For some context on the severity of the situation, Swanson said in March the average central Illinois grain farmer expected a net income of about $35,000 this year. Those farms are now substantially in the negative, she said.

Yet, asked if shes angry at Trump for starting a trade war and potentially driving her family farm into the ground, Swanson wouldnt blame him for anything. She compared it to farmers dealing with challenges like droughts or pests.

Were just hoping this doesnt last a long time, she said, and that we can get to a point where we end up in a better place.