Rally pushes for action on farm bill before Sept. 30

Hundreds of agriculture industry allies rallied in Washington, D.C. today to urge Congress to pass a new Farm Bill before the current law expires Sept. 30, according to the United Fresh Produce Association.

Organized by the Farm Bill Now Coalition, the event featured remarks from Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee; Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture; and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.).

David Masser, president and COO of Keystone Potato Products and member of United’s Fresh-Cut Processor Board, took the podium on behalf of the specialty crop industry. Other invited speakers, representing a variety of agriculture organizations, highlighted the broad implications of the 2012 Farm Bill on trade, energy, conservation, jobs and the economy. The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Potato Council, Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance and Western Growers were also in attendance to show their support for a strong Farm Bill.

“Pressure is mounting on Congress to take action on a Farm Bill,” said Robert Guenther, United’s senior vice president of public policy. “The fresh produce industry could lose funding for several critical programs, including pest management, marketing, trade, nutrition and research programs, if a bill is not passed soon. We urge Congress to move forward with the legislation that the Senate and the House Agriculture Committee have crafted.”

For more information on the Farm Bill Now Coalition, click here.

Photo of Sen. Debbie Stabenow speaking at the rally provided by United Fresh.