CONGRESSMAN DAVIS AND CHAIRMAN PETERSON IN MCMINNVILLE TO DISCUSS ASSISTANCE TO FARMERSSeptember 24, 2007

MCMINNVILLE, TN -- Today, Congressman Lincoln Davis and Congressman Collin Peterson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, met with farmers, local and State elected officials and leaders in agriculture to discuss the effects of recent freezes and droughts on nurseries across the State. At the meeting, Chairman Peterson made opening remarks on the state of the Farm Bill in Congress and Congressman Davis talked about his experiences on his own family farm in facing the drought. Later, Congressman Davis and Chairmen Peterson answered questions and listened to presentations on the state of nursery production following adverse conditions in Tennessee throughout the year.

"I want to thank Chairman Peterson for coming so far from his district to get a feel for the damage that freeze and drought have done to agriculture across the State this year," Congressman Davis said at the event. "This meeting was a significant effort to bring national attention to a serious local concern that is affecting so many families. Farmers are at the heart of Tennessee's economy, and we must do all we can to make sure they can meet the needs of their families and continue to provide an abundant harvest for all of us."

"Congressman Davis is an outstanding adviser on behalf of Tennessee agriculture and a valuable member of the House Agriculture Committee," Chairman Peterson remarked. "I appreciate this chance to hear directly from Tennessee farmers about the Farm Bill and other agriculture issues."

The meeting convened at the TSU Nursery Crop Research Station in McMinnville, Tennessee, and was a chance for local officials and farmers to brief the House Agriculture Committee Chairman on the needs of the State.