By Shala Watson
Multimedia Writer
Hundreds of farmers, ranchers, business leaders and legislators gathered at the West Texas Legislative Summit hosted by Congressman Mike Conaway in San Angelo this week to discuss the 2018 Farm Bill and other issues impacting agriculture.
The forum gives urban and rural communities an opportunity to hear from legislators and experts on a topic deemed to be of critical importance in the region.
As the cotton bolls are beginning to bloom in the region, the discussions revolved around the need for cotton to be included in the Title 1 program, according to Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) State Director Val Stephens.
“We need cotton back in the farm bill for a safety net, and we need crop insurance to remain at least at the levels it’s at now,” Stephens said.
The summit included a panel discussion on priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill, on which TFB President Russell Boening served as a panelist.
Crop revenue, staying in business, financing and reducing regulations were among additional items discussed during the summit.
TFB National Legislative Director Laramie Adams participated on the federal regulatory issues panel.
Stephens said the panels were diverse and all areas of agriculture were represented.
U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (TX-11) spoke during the 2018 Congressional Panel. The panel also included Congressmen Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Roger Marshall (KS-1) and David Rouzer (NC-7).
Another topic of concern at the summit was the number of young farmers leaving the farm, according to Stephens.
He said it’s difficult for beginning farmers to get financing, equipment and land to rent or own.
The summit came on the heels of the farm bill listening session, which had a large turnout of farmers and ranchers from across Texas who weighed in with their needs in new farm legislation.