Today Congressman Rick Crawford will begin a tour of farms and agriculture related interests in Arkansas’s First Congressional District. Agriculture is the number one industry in Arkansas and Crawford is the state’s only representative on the House Agriculture Committee. The Farm Tour will be a chance for Crawford to listen to farm families and advocate for a Farm Bill.

“During the Farm Tour I will be traveling throughout the First District listening to the challenges families are facing with record drought conditions. The Farm Tour will be a great 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 five year Farm Bill signed into law.

“In an effort to urge leaders in Washington to pass a five year Farm Bill, I am joining 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.”

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 Agriculture Council of Arkansas in Pickens

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Meeting Livestock Producers in Piggott
Tour of fish farm in Paragould
Tour of Arkansas State University Value-Added Project in Jonesboro

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Lou Mann Cotton Research Station Field Day in Marianna

Friday, August 24, 2012

Tour of Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart
Meeting with White River Irrigation District Board of Directors in Hazen
Fish Farm meeting with Lonoke County Farmers in Keo

Members of the media are invited to all stops on Crawford’s Farm Tour. Please email Justin Gibbs at justin.gibbs@mail.house.gov.