By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Hale County farmers and ranchers met with Congressional lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss the farm bill and the impact it has on agriculture and their rural communities.

Mark True, Hale County Farm Bureau president, said the local organization searches for unique ways to represent agriculture and trips to D.C. allow them to do so.

“We want to make sure this industry continues. There is a reliance on American agriculture—not only to feed this country, but to feed a good portion of the world,” True said. “So rather than sitting back and have someone else tell the story, we want to be part of that conversation to share the importance of agriculture and help lawmakers get a better understanding of how laws and regulations impact farmers and ranchers,” True said.

During the visit in late July, the farmers and ranchers spoke with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson and House Ag Committee staff, along with staff for U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. They also met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, and a bipartisan group of 14 Congressional leaders and staff.

One of their top priorities for the visit was helping lawmakers understand the importance of the farm bill and crop insurance, which is the largest risk management program that farmers participate in.

“We tried to emphasize to everyone that crop insurance is necessary. To my knowledge, there’s probably not any agricultural lenders out there that would lend money to a farmer who didn’t have crop insurance. So that has become hugely important,” True said.

The Hale County Farm Bureau leaders also discussed support prices that are contained in the farm bill.

“We have an eight-member board, and three of us have had to take jobs in town in the last five years. This is representative of what’s going on in the farming world where we live,” Bobby Byrd, Hale County Farm Bureau member, said. “You’re bankrupt if you’re relying on the safety net now because the reference prices are so low due to inflation and cost of inputs. The prices have gone up so much that those reference prices don’t even touch it.”

While in D.C., they also discussed labor issues, SNAP benefits, food security and rural communities.

The Hale County Farm Bureau leaders visit Capitol Hill every few years to advocate for their county and make connections with lawmakers.

True and Byrd noted the county Farm Bureau leaders feel a responsibility to make connections and build relationships with lawmakers and their staff.

“It’s important that we, as Farm Bureau members, let our voices be heard and to take the opportunities to be active in this grassroots organization,” Byrd said.

Earlier this year, farmers and ranchers from across the state traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit with lawmakers as part of Texas Farm Bureau’s National Affairs Awards Trip.