Letter to Collin Peterson, House Agriculture Committee Chairman

Letter

Congressman Jerry Moran today requested that House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), hold a field hearing in Kansas in advance of the 2012 Farm Bill. Earlier this year, Chairman Peterson began holding field hearings across America to hear directly from farmers and ranchers about U.S. farm policy. Information gathered in field hearings will play an important role in writing the next farm bill. Hearings have been held in the following states: Iowa, Idaho, California, Wyoming, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, South Dakota and North Carolina.

"One in five Kansans work in agriculture and food production. Agriculture is not only a key component of the Kansas economy, but essential to keeping the world fed and clothed. Listening to Kansas farmers and ranchers is critically important to the creation of any successful farm bill. I hope Chairman Peterson will give Kansas serious consideration as the next location to gather information for the 2012 Farm Bill," said Moran.

Kansas leads all states in the production of beef, sorghum and wheat and ranks among the top-ten states in production of cattle and calves, corn, hay, hogs, soybeans and sunflowers. Moran's letter comes in support of an earlier request made by Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins in February of this year.

Dear Chairman Peterson:

As the 2010 Fiscal Year draws to a close, farmers and ranchers are reminded that the next farm bill must be in place within two short years. Federal budget deficits are growing national debt mean that implementing a farm safety net will be ever more difficult. In anticipation of this and other challenges, you started hearings for the 2012 Farm Bill this past April. Thank you for having the foresight to take that proactive step.

Following the first hearing in Washington, which features U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the Committee held nine field hearings in nine different states. These hearings were productive and will help members of the Committee make decisions in the coming months.

As this process continues, I would like to respectfully request a field hearing in my home state of Kansas. Kansas is among the top-ten states that produce cattle and calves, corn, hay, hogs, soybeans, and sunflowers, while leading all states in production of beef, sorghum, and wheat. Agriculture is not only critical to the one in five Kansans employed in agriculture and food production, but to all those across the nation who consume the food grown in the state.

In February, my fellow Kansas colleague, U.S. Representative Lynn Jenkins, also requested a farm bill field hearing in Kansas. I support her earlier request and hope that you will give Kansas a serious consideration as the next location to gather information for the 2012 Farm Bill.

Very truly yours,

Jerry Moran

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