Friday, the House Agriculture Committee held a field hearing in Galesburg, Illinois, with the purpose of gathering input in advance of writing the 2012 Farm Bill. Members took testimony from Midwest producers of corn, rice, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, specialty crops and beef. Witnesses expressed the importance of developing policy that appreciates and recognizes the risks involved with growing food and fiber.
Producers stressed the need for an effective safety net and a choice of risk management tools so farmers can continue to produce a stable food supply and compete in the global marketplace. Committee Chairman Frank Lucas emphasized – it’s important to understand how we can write policy that works for all of agriculture.
The hearing was held in Illinois’ 17th District, Represented by Robert Schilling, who said, – this field hearing is a wonderful opportunity for our area’s farmers to lay out their priorities for the next Farm Bill to my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee and me.
Source: NAFB News Service