Winston County Farmers Federation President Darrell Lee, left, and his wife, Linda, were among 150 Alabama farmers who visited Washington, D.C., March 4-7 to discuss their concerns with lawmakers. Shown with the Lees are U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville).
By Tanner Hood - Alabama Farmers Federation
WASHINGTON - Winston County Farmers Federation President Darrell Lee and his wife, Linda, were among 150 Alabama farmers who traveled to Washington, D.C., March 4-7 to share their stories and concerns with lawmakers.
Alabama Farmers Federation members visited with legislators and agriculture industry leaders to discuss issues such as a new farm bill with updated reference prices. Other conversations centered around taxes, labor, farm land development, input costs and young farmers during the Washington Legislative Conference.
The conference began with encouraging messages from Farm Bureau presidents of Idaho, Mississippi and New York, as Federation President Jimmy Parnell hosted a panel discussion.
“I don’t think any organization can do what we can with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in all 50 states,” said Mississippi Farm Bureau President Mike McCormick. “We can’t have these important conversations without the grassroots efforts. I thank you for your involvement, for being part of your county boards and for what you do.”
Legislative meetings kicked off the next day as farmers visited with U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn G.T. Thompson, R-Penn. He communicated the desire to pass a new farm bill this year — and the challenges that entails.
“We’re going to need your help with getting a new farm bill across the line,” Thompson said. “Farmers were initially written out of the end-of-the-year spending bill last year. By the time it passed, you were a priority only because y’all stood up and flexed the muscle of American agriculture. Do what y’all did in December, but all I ask you is to stay limber.”
Farmers also sat down with other lawmakers, staff members and ag industry leaders. Those included Auburn University, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), JBS America, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, AmericanHort, National Cotton Council and others.
Wednesday night closed with a congressional barbecue featuring Colbert County’s Bishop’s BBQ and Priester’s Pecans from Lowndes County. Alabama Republican U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt stopped by to visit with farmers for photos and food. Britt was also honored as AFBF’s Outstanding New Member of Congress.
Farmers were back at it Thursday for breakfast meetings with their U.S. representatives before attending additional small group gatherings. The day closed with a tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, which highlighted the agriculture lifestyle of America’s first president.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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