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Oklahoma farm leaders push for new farm billOklahoma It's beginning to look like Oklahoma farmers will have a new farm bill soon, even if it is too late for spring planting. That conclusion follows a just completed five-day lobbying trip to the nation's capitol by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Approximately 75 farm leaders made the trip March 30 to April 3. "I am amazed by the complexities of lawmaking in Washington, D.C.," said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. "When we arrived it appeared the new farm bill was going nowhere, just like it had the past several months. But by the third day things started happening quickly and we left town feeling like the farm bill could be settled in the near future." The farm bill had been lingering in a months'-long debate focused on funding. The administration is concerned where the money is going to come from to pay for the farm bill. The old farm bill expired and Congress extended it to April 18. President Bush has indicated he will not support any more extensions. The sticking point has been the commodity title of the farm bill, the section where assistance program payments originate. It now appears program payments will be reduced by more than 60 percent, and the conservation and nutrition sections will be boosted. "Oklahoma farmers need to have this program in place as they make decisions for the 2008 growing season," Spradling said. After meeting with USDA officials and congressional leaders, the farm group prepared to head home without a new farm bill. Washington insiders were saying if the funding could not be resolved the current farm bill would be extended possibly as long as two years. "That really is not acceptable," Spradling said. "We have been pushing for a new farm bill for months, emphasizing the need for an income safety net." Before leaving Washington, D.C. Spradling had a private meeting with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer. "We wanted to stress the importance of getting the farm bill done on time and emphasize how important this bill is for our producers," Spradling said. "We were extremely pleased to meet with him and discuss the bill face-to-face." The Oklahoma farm leaders also met with all the Oklahoma congressional delegation, American Farm Bureau staff and the trade ambassador from Peru. The Peruvian Trade Promotion Agreement has just been signed into law and the Oklahoma farmers wanted to know how it would effect them. Wheat and beef are the two main Oklahoma agriculture commodities exported to Peru. "We enjoyed our visit to their embassy and certainly believe free trade is a win-win situation for both countries," Spradling said. After trekking across Capitol Hill for several days, Spradling said the trip was worth the effort. "Anytime we can look eye-to-eye with our congressmen it proves to them we are a grassroots organization that cares about the issues," Spradling said. "This trip is an investment as our industry's future is determined by laws and regulations." To illustrate Spradling's comments, the meeting with Congressman John Sullivan, Republican-Tulsa, resulted in Sullivan agreeing to cosponsor the commercial motor carrier reform bill (HR 3098). The entire Oklahoma delegation has now agreed to support this bill, which received priority status from the American Farm Bureau Federation earlier this year.
Date: 5/1/08
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