Agriculture
Rep. Whitfield receives the 2011 Friend of the Farm Bureau award from
Kentucky Farm Bureau Vice-President Eddie Melton.
Farm Economy
As the home of the majority of Kentucky’s family farming operations, the First District provides numerous incentives for farmers to expand and diversify their businesses. Agriculture is the lifeblood of the First District’s rural economy. However, as in years past when bad weather or commodity prices drop and affect family farm incomes, I will continue to be an advocate for agriculture by ensuring commodities have adequate safety nets and access to the newest technologies.
The biggest burden facing Kentucky farmers that needs to be corrected is stopping unelected agency staff in Washington, D.C. from pursuing efforts to regulate dust from farm equipment and requiring permits to spray crops. These actions could regulate family farms - which are some of the best environmental stewards – out of business. In addition, the H-2A program is again making farm labor difficult because of regulations that are driving up wage rates and making the program difficult to use.
These efforts, combined with the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, are giving farmers a great deal of concern. As Chairman of the Energy and Power Subcommittee, I am working to review and stop regulations from being implemented that harm farmers’ ability to grow and succeed.
Awards
As a result of my continued efforts in Congress on behalf of Kentucky farmers, I am humbled to have been recognized with several awards from agriculture groups including the Kentucky Farm Bureau Friend of the Farmer Award – an award I have received every year since he has been elected to Congress.
(Click the titles below to expand and read more)
Renewables
Farmers not only provide food and fiber to communities in the U.S. and abroad, but they have also recently been asked to help reduce America's reliance on oil.
I am pleased that the First District has already proven itself to be a leader in the development and use of these fuels. The Commonwealth Agri-Energy Ethanol plant in Hopkinsville is the largest producer of bioethanol in Kentucky. Each year, bushels of corn from the First District are used to produce millions of gallons of ethanol, reducing our use of foreign sources of oil. In addition, this facility is locally owned by two groups of farmer investors - the Kentucky Corn Growers' Association and the Hopkinsville Elevator Cooperative. I will continue working to support this industry that benefits not only Kentucky farmers and consumers, but also our nation and our environment.
Farm Bill
During this Congress’ reauthorization of the Farm Bill, I will work to ensure that crop insurance programs stay intact and safety nets are kept in place.
Although the federal debt must be reduced significantly, this cannot be done on the backs of our farmers. I even broke ranks with my party during the last Farm Bill debate to ensure that this important piece of legislation was passed. I will be working with Kentucky farm groups as well as the House Agriculture Committee to advance and pass a farm bill reauthorization.
Tobacco
Tobacco is raised in almost every county in Kentucky and is critical to the State’s economy. For that reason, I have opposed giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco because of concerns that the FDA could impose harmful regulations on Kentucky farmers without any beneficial health effect. The health issues associated with tobacco use are widely known, and the use of tobacco by adults is a decision they will make on their own regardless of how the product is regulated on the farm. In addition, I believe that additional taxes on tobacco only hurt the farmers and the small businesses who serve the farming community.
Important links for farmers:
•Information for those seeking information about Tobacco Buyout Information can be found here.
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