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Friday, May 24th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
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- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
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- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
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Should consumers have to pay sales tax on online purchases?
SE Mn community leader meets with DC policymakers on Ag Investments
Mon, Mar 18th, 2013
Posted in Chatfield Government
Posted in Chatfield Government
Comments
CHATFIELD, MN - At a time when policymakers in Washington, D.C., are debating the future of federal farm policy, Tim Gossman traveled to the Capitol to meet with several top agriculture decision makers. Gossman, who is a farm loan officer and senior vice president at Root River State Bank in Chatfield, went to D.C. earlier this month with a group of other Land Stewardship Project (LSP) members with a simple message: this is a critical time to support beginning farmers and conservation while cutting costs by reforming large crop subsidies.
“This Congress needs to move forward a Farm Bill that invests in the growing areas of agriculture like new farmer support, local food efforts and sound conservation for working farmland like the Conservation Stewardship Program,” said Gossman.
During two days of whirlwind meetings, Gossman and the other LSP members met with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Agriculture Committee member Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) and Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), as well as Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.).
After numerous delays, Congress is expected to take up a full Farm Bill re-authorization this coming spring, with a strong focus on reducing overall costs and simplifying programs. Unfortunately, innovative beginning farmer, conservation and local foods programs are threatened with major budget cuts, while excessive federal crop subsidies could remain untouched, according to Adam Warthesen, an LSP policy organizer.
Gossman also operates a small farm and serves on the Fillmore County Soil and Water Conservation District Board. He said he is particularly concerned about the role farm policy plays in promoting farming practices that threaten the region’s soil and water.
“I’ve been frustrated by the deterioration of our soil and water quality the last few years in southeastern Minnesota. We are seeing more highly erodible land converted from pasture and hay to row crops, often with little regard to preserving our soil for future generations,” said Gossman. “And while strong crop prices are clearly playing a role in how the landscape is being farmed, we also have government programs, like federally subsidized crop insurance, that have no conservation guidelines or expectations. While crop insurance is a vital safety net for farmers, taxpayers are right to demand that good conservation practices will be followed by farmers using this program.”
“This Congress needs to move forward a Farm Bill that invests in the growing areas of agriculture like new farmer support, local food efforts and sound conservation for working farmland like the Conservation Stewardship Program,” said Gossman.
During two days of whirlwind meetings, Gossman and the other LSP members met with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Agriculture Committee member Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) and Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), as well as Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.).
After numerous delays, Congress is expected to take up a full Farm Bill re-authorization this coming spring, with a strong focus on reducing overall costs and simplifying programs. Unfortunately, innovative beginning farmer, conservation and local foods programs are threatened with major budget cuts, while excessive federal crop subsidies could remain untouched, according to Adam Warthesen, an LSP policy organizer.
Gossman also operates a small farm and serves on the Fillmore County Soil and Water Conservation District Board. He said he is particularly concerned about the role farm policy plays in promoting farming practices that threaten the region’s soil and water.
“I’ve been frustrated by the deterioration of our soil and water quality the last few years in southeastern Minnesota. We are seeing more highly erodible land converted from pasture and hay to row crops, often with little regard to preserving our soil for future generations,” said Gossman. “And while strong crop prices are clearly playing a role in how the landscape is being farmed, we also have government programs, like federally subsidized crop insurance, that have no conservation guidelines or expectations. While crop insurance is a vital safety net for farmers, taxpayers are right to demand that good conservation practices will be followed by farmers using this program.”
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