Lucas Discusses Economic Strain on Farmers during House Ag Hearing

Washington, D.C. – Today, at a House Agriculture Committee hearing entitled Examining the Economic Crisis in Farm Country, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) discussed the recent economic strain on farmers with witnesses representing different regions and commodity groups. Speaking with Congressman Lucas were:

• Dr. John Newton, Executive Head, Terrain, Washington, D.C. 
• Ms. Alisha Schwertner, Owner, Eric and Alisha Schwertner Farms, Miles, TX. 
• Mr. Ryan Talley, Partner, Talley Farms, Arroyo Grande, CA on behalf of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. 
• Mr. Rodney M. Weinzierl, Owner, Weinzierl Farms, Stanford, IL.

HIGHLIGHTED QUOTES:

Lucas: “We’ve spent a lot of time in this room talking about the negative effects of rising input costs on farmers… Whether it’s labor, fuels, equipment, or land rent, farmers everywhere are feeling the strain… Dr. Newton, have you ever seen prices go down in your studies or in your life?”

Newton: “When you look across the farm economy… every single input category is up across the board. We have seen some land values come down a little bit because of where we are in the farm economy, but I think we’ve entered a new level of where costs are going to be from here on out.”

Congressman Lucas released the following statement following today’s witness observations:

“After hearing from a group of witnesses that represent a cross section of the Farm Economy, it remains abundantly clear that rising input prices continue to plague farmers and ranchers across the country. Today’s hearing only emphasizes the urgent need to pass a Farm Bill this Congress. I am grateful to have a Chairman that shares this sentiment and is committed to doing exactly that.”

You can watch Congressman Lucas’s full Q&A by clicking here.