Crawford Farm Tour highlights need for Farm Bill
On First District Farm Tour Crawford heard from producers who want a five year Farm Bill
Last week Congressman Rick Crawford toured farms and agriculture related interests in Arkansas’s First Congressional District. At each stop on the Farm Tour producers told Crawford they need a five year Farm Bill to forecast operation costs and provide certainty. Agriculture is the number one industry in Arkansas and Crawford is the state’s only representative on the House Agriculture Committee. Crawford believes a strong Farm Bill is essential to growing Arkansas’s rural economy.
“During our Farm Tour I traveled throughout the First District listening to the challenges families are facing with record drought conditions. The Farm Tour gave me the opportunity to hear directly from producers and learn how I can better advocate for their interests on the House Agriculture Committee. Passing a five year Farm Bill that protects Arkansas producers is my top priority. Even though the House did pass an important drought relief package, I will not stop working until a Farm Bill is signed into law. Arkansans are experiencing the worst drought in more than three decades. My staff and I want to be a resource for producers as they cope with this terrible natural disaster.”
Crawford is exhausting every option possible to get a Farm Bill signed into law.
“In an effort to urge leaders in Washington to pass a five year Farm Bill, I joined a bipartisan group of House members in signing a discharge petition that will push the Farm Bill toward a final vote. The House Farm Bill, which was passed by Democrats and Republicans on a 35-11 vote, shows how both parties can work on critical legislation in a bipartisan fashion. In joining my colleagues on advancing the discharge petition, I am working to put farm families in Arkansas ahead of Washington’s partisan politics.”
Crawford’s Farm Tour highlighted the diversity of First District agriculture. Below is a schedule of Crawford’s Farm Tour:
Congressman Rick Crawford Farm Tour Schedule
Monday, August 20, 2012
Meeting with Lawrence and Randolph County Livestock Producers in Smithville
Attend the grand opening for peanut buying point in Pocahontas
Randolph County Farm Bureau Dinner in Pocahontas
Tuesday, August 21 2012
Address the Ag Council of Arkansas in PickensWednesday, August 22, 2012
Meeting Livestock Producers in Piggott
Tour of fish farm in Paragould
Tour of Arkansas State University Value-Added Project in JonesboroThursday, August 23, 2012
Lon Mann Cotton Research Station Field Day in Marianna
Meeting with row-crop producers in WynneFriday, August 24, 2012
Tour of Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart
Meeting with White River Irrigation District Board of Directors in Hazen
Meeting with Lonoke County row crop producers in England