Jack Kingston

Farmers now eligible for aid consideration

Congressman Jack Kingston (R/GA-1) today announced that farmers affected by this year’s drought may now be eligible for assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“This drought has hit hard and now farmers are eligible for much needed assistance,” said Congressman Kingston.  “While we’ve had a good deal of rain lately, the beginning of the year was very tough for a lot of us.  I encourage anyone eligible for these loans to contact their local FSA office for assistance”

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Congressman Jack Kingston (R/GA-1) has been named as the recipient of the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award, given during every Congress by the American Farm Bureau Federation.  Eligibility for the award is determined by the voting records of legislators who support the Farm Bureau‘s positions on specific votes.  Nominated by Georgia Farm Bureau, Kingston received the award based on his loyal support of Georgia farmers and his work on the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007, commonly known as the “farm bill.”

Farm Bureau is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization governed by and representing farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement and economic opportunity.  Farm Bureau is local, county, state, national and international in its scope and influence and is non-partisan in character.  The bureau strives to lend a voice to agricultural producers at all levels.

 “I am honored that Georgia Farm Bureau feels that I am a friend to the Georgia farmer,” said Congressman Kingston.  “Agriculture is the economic backbone of our great state, but the impact of the contributions of Georgia farmers reaches the rest of our nation and many countries around the world.  I have worked hard to be an advocate of farmers and ranchers during my time on the agriculture subcommittee and will continue to work with Farm Bureau on these important issues.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation was founded in 1919 by a small group of farmers from 30 states.  Their goal was to create a voice for themselves by forming a national organization.  Farm Bureau soon became the voice of agriculture at the national level.  While the organization has faced many issues and challenges over the past 80 years, the mission and goals of Farm Bureau have remained the same; a concern in speaking out on issues of concern for the nation’s farmers and ranchers.  To learn more about the American Farm Bureau Federation, visit http://www.fb.org.

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The House Agriculture Committee has made the Farm Bill conference report available online.  You can view it here.

From the Agriculture Committee’s press shop: 

Congressional negotiators will announce a final farm bill conference agreement TOMORROW, May 8, 2008 at 1:30 PM EDT in 1300 Longworth House Office Building. The bipartisan, bicameral group will discuss the details of the final bill, which makes investments in conservation, energy, nutrition and rural development while continuing and strengthening farm income protection.

The event will also be webcast on the House and Senate Agriculture Committee Websites at:

http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/audio.html or http://agriculture.senate.gov/.

WHO: Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman, Senate Agriculture Committee

Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Chairman, House Agriculture Committee

Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Ranking Member, Senate Agriculture Committee

Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Ranking Member, House Agriculture Committee

Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Chairman, Senate Budget Committee

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman, Senate Finance Committee

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee

Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Member, House Agriculture and House Ways and Means Committees

WHAT: Agriculture leaders to announce farm bill conference report

WHEN: Thursday, May 8, 2008; 1:30 PM

WHERE: Longworth House Office Building; Room 1300