Tom Vilsack on Jobs Democratic IA Governor

Launched plant construction projects to create jobs

University R&D will find new uses for crops

Full review of farm policy; more state flexibility.

The National Governors Association supports a comprehensive review of agricultural policy to ensure that farm programs incorporate the most efficient means to promote a healthy and prosperous economy for America’s farmers and ranchers.

Attached is NGA’s statement [in which] we provide our comments to the Draft Farm Bill Concept Paper and the general recommendations of the Governors on the 2002 Farm Bill. They include:
• support for farmer assistance programs that provide the maximum amount of flexibility to producers and that include counter-cyclical assistance;
• recommendations to include incentives for working lands conservation and to strengthen states’ role in the delivery of resource conservation dollars;
• simplification of state level program operations of the Food Stamp Program; and
• recommendations to the rural development programs within the farm bill.

State instead of federal rules for animal operations.

• WHEREAS, Midwestern governors have undertaken successful partnerships with the agricultural community in their respective states to promote sustainable agriculture, address water quality and public health impacts as the result of farming activities, and promote common-sense stewardship of farmland and natural resources; and
• WHEREAS, The members of the Midwestern Governors’ Conference support the guiding principles and goals of the Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) released by USDA and EPA, but are concerned that the Strategy is too prescriptive, permit oriented, and emphasizes process over environmental performance; now, therefore be it
• RESOLVED, That the Midwestern Governors’ Conference supports the implementation of a national AFO strategy which allows states to implement functionally equivalent alternative programs that result in meeting national environmental performance standards, and such alternative state programs should include nutrient management plans, technical and financial assistance, proactive inspections, complaint response and enforcement, and statewide water quality monitoring; and be it further
• RESOLVED, That State programs, including permit, non-permit, and voluntary compliance programs, must be allowed to operate in lieu of the federal Strategy, so long as these alternative State programs include the above elements and meet national environmental performance standards.

Immediate federal assistance for farm crisis.

Dear President Clinton:

On behalf of the farmers and ranchers of the states comprising the Midwestern Governors’ Conference, we ask for your assistance in addressing the current farm crisis. While the majority of the US economy is prospering, the agricultural sector is at a critical stage and needs your immediate attention. Our farmers and ranchers are paying operating expenses that have continued to rise, while they are receiving prices for commodities and livestock that have dropped, in some instances, to 50-year lows. To further compound the problem, drought conditions in some areas and flooding in others have devastated crops.

We are aware that many national farm organizations are putting forth various plans to provide both short-and long-term relief to our nation’s agricultural producers. While we believe long-term solutions are essential, the current situation demands a more immediate response. We, therefore, urge you to act quickly to provide federal financial assistance to farmers and ranchers including dedicated direct aid to those producers impacted by drought or other natural disasters. Immediate direct payments could allow some farmers and ranchers to continue in business this year.

In addition, changes to the current crop insurance program that will increase participation and expand coverage are needed in the short-term. The development of new risk management products is also necessary. Furthermore, export market development and regulatory relief are needed in 1999 to prevent further disruptions in our ability to produce an abundant, wholesome supply of food while competing in a global agricultural economy. Immediate action is needed to make it possible for US farmers and ranchers to compete fairly and to continue to feed people throughout the world.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to working with you on these important issues.