Rep. Frank Lucas: A Strong Farm Sector is the Key to Prosperity in Rural America

WASHINGTON Today, Ranking Member Frank Lucas along with his colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee concluded a hearing to review U.S. agriculture policy in advance of writing the 2012 farm bill. Committee members heard testimony from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

“I appreciate the Secretary’s participation in the committee’s farm bill hearing and for sharing the department’s vision for the future. I am disappointed, though not surprised, that the Agriculture department continues to emphasize non-farm activities at the expense of production agriculture when referring to strengthening rural America. A strong farm sector is the key to prosperity in rural America. Yet, every budget the administration has put forward has attacked farm programs and the safety net our farmers and ranchers need to survive.

“With the many challenges that U.S. agriculture faces, which includes an overreaching Environmental Protection Agency, we need the Secretary to be an advocate for our producers in this administration, especially as we prepare to write the next farm bill,” said Ranking Member Frank Lucas.