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Source: U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, 3/23/12
Today, Chairman Frank Lucas continued the House Agriculture Committee's field hearing series in Galesburg, Illinois. It was the second of four hearings to be held across the country throughout March and April to gather 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. They 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.
"The field hearings give Members of this Committee a chance to hear how programs are working for our agricultural producers. There’s no better way to accomplish this than to visit with folks in the countryside. It's important to understand how we can write policy that works for all of agriculture," said Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK).
“The Midwest – particularly Illinois’ 17th District – is blessed with some of the most fruitful farmland on Earth, and produces high-quality, affordable food. 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. I’d like to extend my thanks to Chairman Lucas and his staff for recognizing the invaluable contributions of our area to America’s food supply, and for including the 17th Congressional District as one of the settings for Farm Bill discussions,” said Rep. Robert T. Schilling (R-IL).
Witness List:
Panel I
Mr. David C. Erickson, corn and soybean producer, Altona, Illinois
Mrs. Deborah L. Moore, corn, soybean, and beef producer, Roseville, Illinois
Mr. John Mages, corn and soybean producer, Belgrade, Minnesota
Mr. Blake Gerard, rice, soybean, wheat, and corn producer, McClure, Illinois
Mr. Craig Adams, corn, soybean, wheat, hay, and beef producer, Leesburg, Ohio
Panel II
Mr. John Williams, sorghum, corn, wheat, and soybean producer, McLeansboro, Illinois
Mr. Gary Asay, pork, corn, and soybean producer, Osco, Illinois
Mr. Terry Davis, corn and soybean producer, Roseville, Illinois
Mr. David W. Howell, corn, soybean, pumpkin, and tomato producer, Middletown, Indiana
Ms. Jane A. Weber, specialty crop producer, Bettendorf, Iowa
Schedule for future field hearings:
Friday, March 30, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. CDT
Riceland Hall, Fowler Center
Arkansas State University
201 Olympic Drive
State University, AR 72467
Friday, April 20, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. CDT
Magouirk Conference Center
4100 W. Comanche
Dodge City, KS 67801
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