Farm Bill Listening Session in Tennessee
On June 26, 2023, with collaboration from Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the offices of Congressmen John Rose and Congressman Scott DesJarlais, Tennessee Farm Bureau had the privilege of hosting the state’s first Farm Bill Listening Session. Welcoming Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Glenn “GT” Thompson (R) from Pennsylvania and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D), a representative from Illinois, the session took place in the Made in Tennessee Building at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Congressman Rose from Tennessee’s sixth district and Congressman DesJarlais from Tennessee’s third district also joined the gentlemen on stage for the listening panel. Opening remarks were given by Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Hatcher, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall, and Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. Youth from Tennessee 4-H and FFA were present to open the session with a prayer and the pledge before comments began.
A range of commodities were represented during the session, including beef, cotton, corn, dairy and soybeans in addition to a variety of industry partners such as AgLaunch, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, UTIA, and UT Martin. With more than 300 people in attendance, 29 people gave public comments. John Chester, chairman of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Farm Bill Working Group, kicked off the session with priorities such as increased farm programs, risk management tools for crops and livestock, and funding for conservation programs. Other topics discussed throughout the afternoon included the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) staying within the farm bill, U.S. trade concerns, additional funding for broadband, risk management for poultry producers and increasing funding for beginning farmers.
Tennessee Farm Bureau is thankful for the support of neighboring state members who chose to join the session and submit comments from Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi Farm Bureaus.
After hearing the registered comments, each representative had a moment to respond. Representative DesJarlais started off by encouraging everyone to continue their efforts to reach out because the farm bill is still a work in progress. He assured attendees he understands over-regulation is an issue and will work to combat it in the 2023 Farm Bill. DesJarlais also mentioned the problems producers are facing with foreign land ownership and black vultures.
Representative Jackson expressed interest in several topics. He specifically raised concerns of the dairy sector. Jackson also recognized the need for rural development, expressing his support for broadband, SNAP and housing in under-developed areas.
Very pleased with the turnout of the session, Representative Rose was proud to welcome everyone to the sixth district. He was grateful for everyone who attended and showed appreciation for those who submitted their comments. He highlighted the need of partnerships for the success of the farm bill, both education institutions, extension services and private businesses. In closing, Rose recognized Blessyn Nkrumah, a member of the YMCA Youth in Government Program from Antioch, who described how she fulfilled a need within her community for fresh, locally grown vegetables during the pandemic and how she’s continued to be an advocate for agriculture. Blessyn and youth organizations like 4-H and FFA are part of the next generation who will continue advocating for the field of agriculture in the future.
Chairman Thompson chose to respond to several of the comments as well. He started by assuring the crowd this bill is a “Farm and Food Security Bill,” and he is planning to keep both SNAP and agriculture together within the legislation of the farm bill based on four principles: innovation, financial independence, program integrity and personalized healthy eating. As for dairy, the Chairman Thompson mentioned the “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act” he sponsors every two years to allow schools who participate in the National School Lunch Program to provide whole or reduced-fat milk that is flavored or unflavored to students rather than just fat-free or low-fat. On the topic of conservation, he believes programs should be voluntary and incentive based. He also touched on animal health, explaining the miscellaneous title will include an area to continue research and increasing workforce developments for large animal veterinarians. Addressing Title 1 concerns, he stated safety net programs such as crop insurance and base acre changes will depend on the placement of funding. Chairman Thompson also mentioned increasing financial resources for trade and providing more programs for beginning farmers. Although workforce issues were not mentioned in comments, he knew it was an issue which needs to be addressed, and he highlighted the House Agriculture Committee’s bi-partisan Agriculture Labor Working Taskforce, a group looking to find solutions for farmers.
In addition to the Farm Bill Listening Session, the congressmen were able to attend several farms and businesses across Middle Tennessee. A special thank you to Anderson Meat Processing, Catesa Farms, Riverbend Nurseries, Nash Family Creamery, Allan Callaway Stables and Jack Daniel’s Distillery for showcasing their operations and providing their perspectives on agriculture.
