Upper Cumberland Times

Lebanon, TN—U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) hosted a successful, bipartisan, two-day event aimed at hearing directly from Tennessee farmers and producers, as the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture continues drafting the 2023 Farm Bill. Committee members participating in the event other than Rose included Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), and Rep. Scott DesJarlais (TN-04).

The listening event kicked off Monday with a tour of Anderson Meat Processing in Hartsville, TN, and Catesa Farms in Riddleton, TN, then shifted to a public listening session at the Made in Tennessee Building at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. That event drew more than 250 people and included public comment from more than 28 farmers, producers, and agriculture industry stakeholders.

Rep. Rose released the following statement:

“I want to thank every Tennessean who took the time to share the issues impacting hardworking farm families across our state,” Rep. Rose said. “No one knows the impact of agriculture policy more than our nation’s farmers, which is why the last two days have been so invaluable to our committee.”

On Tuesday, Reps. Thompson, Jackson, and Rose toured operations at Riverbend Nurseries in Franklin, TN, Nash Family Creamery in Chapel Hill, TN, as well as Allan Callaway Stables in Shelbyville, TN. Other notable attendees included American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation President Eric Mayberry, and Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Charlie Hatcher.

“The Farm Bill is extremely important to our farmers and every Tennessean, and the listening session and tours allowed our farmers to share their insights on improving and protecting Tennessee agriculture,” TFBF President Eric Mayberry said. “We cannot thank Congressman Scott DesJarlais and Congressman John Rose for their work in ensuring a first of its kind listening session occurred in Tennessee.”

Background:

The farm bill reauthorization process is one of the biggest responsibilities of the 118th Congress, as it comes once every five years and is considered a “must-pass” legislation due to its authorizations of certain USDA programs. The Farm Bill protects American food security and supports farmers across the country through funding risk management programs, nutrition assistance for low-income families, as well as investments in conservation and agricultural research.

Original source can be found here.