"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 7:10:46, Jun 13th 2013 - chipperlee - Seems to be a well written article, except maybe Silica Sand is used in ... [Read More]
- 12:02:15, Jun 9th 2013 - getthefacts - The problem here lies in the fact that girls were repeatedly told "if y ... [Read More]
- 10:45:32, Jun 7th 2013 - Jo mom for 6yrs - Mr. Ehler hit the nail on the head. I agree with the religious con ... [Read More]
- 2:47:58, Jun 7th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 9:06:21, Jun 6th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 2:05:29, Jun 6th 2013 - Kim Wentworth - The number one rule in a debate: 1) if the person from the opposite si ... [Read More]
- 12:42:18, Jun 4th 2013 - EW - For someone that is always spouting religious rhetoric, you try to come off as a ... [Read More]
- 11:32:18, May 31st 2013 - JO PLAYER - This is unfair to us girls. Morrie Miller is not getting canceled but J ... [Read More]
- 8:25:34, May 29th 2013 - RP - Why is Mr. Ehler involving himself with non-school activities? Is he going after ... [Read More]
- 6:40:49, May 29th 2013 - Doc - You are a cartoon character! If I see you in person I will burst out laughing. ... [Read More]
33
Do you think the use of all fireworks should be legal in the state of Minnesota for all consumers?
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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