Shenandoah Valley News

WEYERS CAVE, VA - On July 17, 2023, as Congress begins to take up the Fiscal Year 2024 Farm Bill, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) was joined by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) in hosting an Agriculture Listening Session with over 50 farmers and other Ag industry stakeholders at Maple Springs Farm in Weyers Cave, showcasing the diversity of commodities Virginia has to offer. These included groups such as: the Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Cattlemen Association, Virginia Poultry Federation, Virginia State Dairymen’s Association, Virginia Agribusiness Council, National Pork Producers Council, and the Virginia Grain Producers Association.

Virginia’s Sixth District is home to more than 8,000 farms, leading the Commonwealth. With over 41,500 farms in the state, and an economic impact of $82.3 billion annually, Virginia is an agricultural powerhouse. During the Listening Session, Congressman Cline, Chairman Thompson, and the participants discussed several aspects of the upcoming Farm Bill, including how the Bill can be used to support farmers and the industry. Additionally, they discussed the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn the Biden Administration’s new WOTUS rule, the importance of reintroducing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, and the commendable work the state of Virginia did in handling the recent avian flu outbreak.

Chairman Thompson has been joining a few Members of Congress who represent rural areas across the country to discuss how Washington can best focus on the needs of those affected by the FY24 Farm Bill.

 “I’d like to thank Chairman Thompson for joining me today. As Congress takes up the Fiscal Year 2024 Farm Bill this year, it is vital we hear firsthand from those most affected by the Bill and how we can prioritize the needs of Virginia’s Sixth District,”  Rep. Cline said.

“This year's Farm Bill aims to revitalize rural America. I want to thank Rep. Cline and Maple Springs Farm for hosting today and providing the space to discuss issues affecting Virginia's farmers, ranchers, and consumers. The feedback we received will serve us well as we continue the reauthorization process,”  House Agriculture Committee Chairman Thompson said.

Original source can be found here.