News went out Thursday across ag media that Conaway and Peterson announce new farm bill listening sessions. The Peterson in the headline is Minnesota Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson, the ranking Democrat on the House Ag Committee.
The Minnesota listening session will take place at Farmfest on Thursday, August 3:
The Next Farm Bill …… Conversations in the Field
Hosted by U.S. House Ag Committee Chairman Michael Conway (TX) and U.S. House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (MN)
The news item reports:
The sessions will be crucial, Conaway and Peterson say, to determine how well the current farm programs are working and where changes are needed. These initial sessions also take place during a time of extreme hardships for many farmers and ranchers across the country.
“With the farm economy in its worst slide since the Great Depression, producers in every region of the country have important perspectives about what is and isn’t working in agricultural policy. I’m looking forward to taking what we heard in Florida and adding new perspectives as we travel across the country to ensure we craft the strong farm bill our country deserves,” said Chairman Conaway.
“These listening sessions are a continuation of the Committee’s review of farm bill programs and I’m looking forward to hearing directly from farmers and others impacted by the farm bill. Real world examples of what is, and maybe isn’t, working will help better inform Committee members when we begin the task of writing a new farm bill,” said Ranking Member Peterson.
In anticipation of the listening session, the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) has crafted a survey asking "what you think LSP’s top message should be for the U.S. House Ag. Committee at Farmfest." From the group's Facebook page:
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee is coming to Farmfest this August to conduct a Farm Bill Listening Session. Rep. Collin Peterson has invited LSP to participate and we want to be there with a strong message. Mark your calendars to join us, Thursday morning, Aug. 3rd at Farmfest outside of Redwood Falls and let us know what you think our top message should be.
The LSP survey is online here.
Photo: Collin Peterson, who likes to play guitar.
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