Sorghum producers take concerns to capitol hill
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A delegation of sorghum producers and staff has convened in Washington recently to take their concerns to their farm-state legislators and the Administration.
The producers' primary concerns are protecting the agriculture budget, continuing the Great Plains Sorghum Initiative, reinstating funding for sorghum research by the Agricultural Research Service, increasing ethanol production to make the nation more energy independent, providing agriculture disaster assistance to producers impacted by hurricanes and drought and extending the 2002 farm bill until securing a WTO agreement with meaningful market access.
National Sorghum Producers (NSP) President Greg Shelor of Minneola, Kan., said that the Senate Agriculture Committee is monitoring WTO negotiations, working on timetables for the new farm bill, and standing opposed to budget reconciliation instructions this year. "The Members understand that in years like this, with high input costs and drought, we need the safety net provided for in the 2002 farm bill."
NSP CEO Tim Lust said that in a meeting with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and his staff, the sorghum leadership and the Chairman discussed sorghum's role in energy policy.
Among the producers, NSP Past President James Vorderstrasse of Hebron, Neb., said that there has been discussion about the Conservation Security Program. "As we look forward to the next farm bill, conservation will be a big issue. When the legislation and policies are being developed, producer input will be vitally important to ensure that the programs will function as intended and give support to all producers who are being good stewards."
Producers and staff also met with their home-state legislators, the Office of Management and Budget, as well as Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. Participants also took part in a leadership training session sponsored by Syngenta.
Other attendees include NSP President Elect Dale Murden of Monte Alto, Texas; Toby Bostwick of Melrose, N.M.; Jeff Casten of Quenomo, Kan.; Larry Dedic of Pleasant Dale, Neb.; Dave Erwin of Syracuse, Kan.; Jeff Filinger of Cuba, Kan.; Bill Greving of Prairie View, Kan.; Dan Krienke of Perryton, Texas; Jim Massey of Robstown, Texas; Nick Pipkin of Clovis, N.M.; Ken Rose of Keyes, Okla.; Gerald Simonsen of Ruskin, Neb.; Troy Skarke of Claude, Texas; Jerry Van Zee of Platte, South Dakota; and Jay Wilder of Snook, Texas. Staff participants also include NSP Washington Representative Mark Rokala, NSP Operations Director Marsha Bryant, NSP Industry Relations Director Lorie Forbes, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Executive Director Wayne Cleveland, and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Programs Manager Sue Hardman.
Emily Ogden of Chapman, Neb. is also participating in the fly-in as the recipient of the National Grain Sorghum Foundation's Sorghum Challenge scholarship. She also received $750 to be applied toward one semester of tuition expenses.
NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers. Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, in the heart of the U.S. Sorghum Belt that stretches from the Rockies to the Mississippi River and from South Texas to South Dakota, the organization works to ensure the profitability of sorghum production through market development, research, education and legislative representation.
Date: 3/23/06
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