Baird hosts farm bill listening session at the Indiana State Fair

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Baird hosts farm bill listening session at the Indiana State Fair

Listening sessions are underway for crafting the next farm bill. Congressman Jim Baird heard from farmers and other ag leaders this week during the Indiana State Fair.

“We heard from so many different aspects of agriculture, and it makes you realize how important agriculture is to the state of Indiana and to our country,” he says. “…it’s important that we hear from people like this that are experts in the industry that work everyday in the various policy issues. And, if we can get those right in the farm bill that incentivizes the kind of production that we want and helps those farmers and ranches endure, it’s extremely important.”

The Indiana republican serves on the House Agriculture Committee. Baird says it’s time to start work on the next farm bill.

“We’ve been through a pandemic which exposed some of the problem areas in our food supply chain so now is an appropriate time because we can identify what we need to save and is working well, and we can identify areas that need to be tweaked. It’s going to take a lot of time,” he says. “Once you identify the problem, get input from individuals, resolve the problem using research and technology, and develop legislation and suddenly we’ll be at the end of 2023 and the need for another farm bill.”  

Baird says farmers are the backbone of the nation and deserve a seat at the table as Congress prepares for the 2023 Farm Bill.

“Hoosier farms and farmers across the nation play a critical role in feeding, fueling, and clothing our grateful country and they can provide invaluable feedback as we draft the next farm bill,” he says.

On Wednesday, stakeholders from across the state provided testimony on behalf of their respective commodity or segment of the industry. Congressman Greg Pence and Congresswoman Victoria Spartz were also in attendance.

Pence says Indiana’s agriculture industry is large and diverse and will be affected by the next farm bill.

“I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure Hoosier voices across the state are represented in D.C.,” Pence says.

Spartz says the listening session was a great way to receive “valuable feedback from industry stakeholders.”  

The 2018 Farm Bill expires in 2023.

Audio: Jim Baird

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