By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Farmers and ranchers from Hale and Floyd counties recently met with Congressional lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss the farm bill and its impact on Texas agriculture.

The meetings gave the county leaders an opportunity to show lawmakers the faces behind their food, fiber and fuel.

“We felt the increased urgency to go to D.C. and visit offices of some key congressmen and share our stories about our current situation and remind them to not let farmers and ranchers get pushed to the wayside,” Justin Stoerner, Hale Country Farm Bureau board member, said. “We reminded them about the impact of the farm bill and the possible emergency relief package that needs to be passed in the next few months.”

The farmers emphasized the uncertainty they and other growers will face if a new farm bill isn’t passed.

“We discussed what’s going on in West Texas right now and that a lot of farmers are struggling and need a farm bill. We also discussed disaster assistance and economic and policy related issues,” said Chase Young, Floyd County Farm Bureau board member.

During the visit in late September, the farmers and ranchers spoke with members of the Texas delegation including U.S. Reps. Pete Sessions, Ronny Jackson, Henry Cuellar, Pat Fallon, Beth Van Duyne, Jodey Arrington, Vicente Gonzalez, Chip Roy, Jasmine Crockett, Monica De La Cruz, Keith Self, and Morgan Luttrell.

They also met with key Congressional lawmakers outside of Texas to work toward a new farm bill and needed disaster assistance. They met with Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee Tom Cole (R-OK), Chairman of U.S. House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Andy Harris (R-MD), House Agriculture Committee Members Mike Bost (R-IL) and Jim Costa (D-CA). In addition, they met with staff for U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and Congressman Roger Williams

The county leaders noted the conversations helped the lawmakers understand the farm bill from a farmer’s perspective.

“I think it’s important to put a face with the story. It resonates more when you see actual people telling real-life stories,” Young said. “There’s a lot of separation between farmers, rural America and urban America these days. It’s important to put a name with the story, a name, a face with the issue.”

The one-year extension for the 2018 Farm Bill expired Sept. 30.

Hale, Floyd County farmers, ranchers visit lawmakers Farmers and ranchers from Hale and Floyd counties traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss the farm bill and its impact on Texas agriculture.