Farm Bureau stays focused in welcoming new Congress

Contact: Ryan Findlay, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2025

LANSING, Nov. 3, 2010 - Once the dust settles from the mid-term elections which shook Capitol Hill Tuesday, new and returning members of Congress can look forward to a heavy workload that includes many issues important to the country's agriculture industry, among them writing a new farm bill.

But Michigan Farm Bureau National Legislative Counsel Ryan Findlay said Farm Bureau welcomes the opportunity to educate a new crop of legislators, and he says the organization is particularly eager to work with the new Michigan Congressional delegation.

"With a $1.3 trillion national budget deficit, the incoming Congress won't have it easy. Tough decisions will need to be made, but many from Michigan's Congressional delegation have an understanding of agriculture to serve as a good foundation," said Findlay.

"Besides, farmers deal with tough and challenging environments every day. I think Michigan's Congressional delegation exhibits this same strong work ethic and will rise to the occasion in providing sound leadership for Michigan's agriculture industry at the national level."

Findlay said Farm Bureau will likely center its legislative efforts with the 112th Congress on developing a farm bill that guarantees Americans continued access to a safe, reliable and affordable food supply produced by U.S. farmers. In addition, the organization will continue to lobby for tax reforms, sensible environmental regulations, and trade agreements that expand global markets for U.S. agricultural products.

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