By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor

The House Agriculture Committee will host a farm bill listening session at 1 p.m. Monday, July 31, at Angelo State University in San Angelo.

The listening session is the only in-person opportunity to comment on the farm bill in Texas to-date.

“This is the perfect opportunity to speak directly to lawmakers involved in crafting the next four-year farm bill. It is vital they hear from Texas farmers and ranchers, so they know what resources are needed to feed and clothe the world,” Laramie Adams, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) national Legislative director, said. “If you can attend, I encourage you to do so.”

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and TFB President Russell Boening are scheduled to attend.

“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,” Conaway said. “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.”

The 2014 Farm Bill doesn’t expire until 2018, but lawmakers like Conaway are already at work examining the current bill and taking note on what needs to be changed to improve the next bill.

Both the Senate and House committees on agriculture are hosting hearings in Washington and on the ground in states across the nation to allow stakeholders an opportunity to weigh in on the many sections in the bill.

Everything from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to the Title 1 Commodity programs is being examined for cost effectiveness and use.

“To ensure vital farm programs aren’t cut, we encourage TFB members to attend the session and weigh in or contact their lawmaker directly to discuss the impact farm bill safety net programs have on our farms and ranches,” Adams said.

The farm bill listening session Monday will be held in the CJ Davidson Conference Room at 1910 Rosemont Drive on the Angelo State University campus in San Angelo.

For those unable to attend, TFB Communications staff will cover the meeting and share the highlights on texasfarmbureau.org in the days following the listening session.