DES MOINES, Iowa - Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson held a field hearing in Des Moines, Iowa to review U.S. agriculture policy as the Committee begins the process of writing the 2012 Farm Bill. This is the first in a series of hearings scheduled across the country to consider new ideas regarding Federal food and farm policy. Seven Members of Congress attended today’s hearing and heard testimony from nine witnesses on a variety of farm policy issues.
“As we begin the process of developing the next Farm Bill, I am glad that we are starting in Iowa where innovations and agriculture have always gone hand-in-hand," Chairman Peterson said. “Producers here are on the cutting edge, and I hope that they will help us explore new ideas and new opportunities to ensure the continued success of agriculture and rural America."
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average farm in Iowa sells about $220,000 worth of product each year. Iowa ranks first in the nation for corn and soybean production and is the top hog and egg producing state. More than 1.63 million acres of land in Iowa are enrolled in USDA conservation programs. Additionally, Iowa also produces more ethanol than any other state in the nation, more than 3.5 million gallons per year.
“I am pleased to be a part of the first set of farm bill field hearings to discuss the future of U.S. agriculture policy. Today was a good start in the process," said Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma. “I look forward to listening to and learning from our producers to ensure that American agriculture remains competitive and our farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to provide a safe, affordable, and wholesome food supply."
More than 100 members of the community attended the hearing, including local agriculture producers and leaders. Many more watched the hearing online via a live video feed on the House Agriculture Committee's website. House Agriculture Committee Members attending the hearing included: Chairman Peterson, Ranking Member Lucas, Congressman Leonard Boswell of Iowa, who serves as Chairman of the Agriculture Committees’ Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota, Congressman Jim Costa of California, and Congressman Steve King of Iowa. Congressman Tom Latham of Iowa, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee also attended the hearing.
“Today's field hearing was an important opportunity for my fellow Members of the Agriculture Committee and me to hear from the very farmers, producers and agriculture players in Iowa who are impacted by the farm bill," said Congressman Boswell. “The Committee and I greatly appreciate the witnesses who took time away from their fields and businesses to share their valuable feedback on what programs are working and what still can be done in the 2012 Farm Bill."
“I would like to thank the Chairman for initiating this hearing on the 2012 Farm Bill. It is better to be early than to be late," said Congressman King. “With corn planting recently concluded and soybean planting starting up in a short time, this is a good time for this hearing. The 2012 Farm Bill will be extremely important to Iowans, and I look forward to an interesting and productive discussion."
Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.
To receive updated schedule and news information from the House Agriculture, please visit the House Committee on Agriculture website to sign up for email updates: http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov/Eupdates/updates.html.
Witness List:
Panel I
Mr. Varel Bailey, corn, soybean, grass, pork, cattle and sheep producer, Anita, Iowa
Mr. Richard Bayliss, corn and soybean producer, Ottumwa, Iowa
Mr. Dane Lang, dairy, corn and soybean producer, Brooklyn, Iowa
Mr. Nick Volz, corn, soybean, and pork producer, Elkhart, Iowa
Mr. Darrell Weems, cattle, corn and soybean producer, Earlham, Iowa
Panel II
Mr. Warren Erickson, dairy processor, Des Moines, Iowa
Mr. Jim Schaben, livestock operator, Lamoni, Iowa
Mr. Bob Skow, crop insurance agent representative, West Des Moines, Iowa
Mr. Jeff Stroberg, grain and input cooperative operator, Ralston, Iowa
Source: House Committee on Agriculture
