CALEDONIA, MO – On August 29, 2017, Congressman Jason Smith was at Caledonia Vineyard in Washington County to meet with owners Paul and Deanna Redinger about the challenges they face while running their family owned agribusiness and the importance of operations like Caledonia Vineyard to agri-tourism and entertainment in southeast and south central Missouri.
Over the summer, the Redinger family hosted a blackberry festival that brought more than 1,700 people to their farm.
“Whether it’s pumpkins, watermelons or blackberries, seasonal festivals are popping up left and right,” said Congressman Smith. “It’s great to see the agri-tourism and entertainment industry growing in our area, but what’s even more special is seeing family farms and agribusinesses open their doors and welcome fellow Missourians to join them in doing what they love.”
Smith is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, the only committee in Congress with primary jurisdiction over federal tax measures. On August 30, 2017, Smith joined President Trump in Springfield for his speech on tax reform.
“As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I am fighting for a fairer, flatter tax code that will allow families like the Redingers to pursue their passion and run their agribusiness without being taxed left and right by bureaucrats in Washington,” said Congressman Smith. “Like President Trump said in Springfield, we need a tax code that puts more money in the pockets of hard working Missourians.”
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.
