SIKESTON, MO – On August 28, 2017, Congressman Jason Smith held a roundtable to discuss the challenges local farmers face as they run their agriculture operations and what they need from the next farm bill. Smith was joined by United States House of Representatives Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13).
The roundtable was held in Scott County which has nearly 230,000 acres of farm land and close to 500 agriculture operations. Smith and Davis discussed risk management programs that ensure the stability of Missouri farms and the entire United States’ agriculture industry.
“Our farmers feed the nation, and food security is right up there with national security,” said Congressman Smith. “I was grateful to have my friend Rodney with us so he could hear from Missouri farmers what they need in the next farm bill to continue the work they do day in and day out to feed our country.”
Rep. Davis is an important member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture where he focuses on biotechnology, commodity exchanges, energy and nutrition. He joined Congressman Smith to talk with farmers about the next farm bill and discuss different issues affecting Missouri’s agriculture industry.
“Missouri farmers and ag leaders could not ask for a better advocate in Congress than Jason,” said Davis. “He has made listening to the concerns of farmers in his district and fighting for them a priority in Washington. Farmers in Missouri have many of the same concerns as farmers I've heard from in my district and at listening sessions across the country. They want more certainty from Washington and a seat at the table when policies impacting them are debated. As we craft the next farm bill, I know Jason will be a tireless advocate for the policies critical to the farming industry in his district and across the country.”
This is the fifth year that Congressman Jason Smith has dedicated the month of August to focus on farms in southeast and south central Missouri. Throughout this month, Congressman Smith will visit Missouri’s agricultural operations to hear directly from farmers, ranchers and agriculture industry professionals to get a better understanding of what challenges they are facing and how he can help as they work to feed and supply America.
One of the biggest concerns Smith heard about during last August’s focus on farms was the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation, which sought to federally regulate every drop of water on Missouri farmers’ land. In the last year, Smith worked directly with the Trump Administration to stop this rule and relieve Missouri farmers from the burden of WOTUS.
Congressman Smith has plans to stop at farms in each of the 30 counties in Missouri's Eighth Congressional District. This year’s focus on farms will highlight the people in our area who run these operations and the tremendous impact that agriculture has on the economy and rural way of life in southeast and south central Missouri.
