August 3, 2007

Lessons from Farm Country

By Congressman Joe Pitts

On Monday, I spent the first part of my day touring two farms in the sixteenth Congressional District.  I used the opportunity to keep in touch with the farm life that many of my constituents live everyday, as well as hearing from some of my constituents on the issues that are most important to them.

The first stop on the tour was an organic dairy farm near Gap in Lancaster County.  I was given a tour of the operation by a very knowledgeable young man.  The oldest son in the Stoltzfus family is an integral part of the family’s organic dairy.  In addition to milk and cheese, the family raises organic chickens and ducks. 

From my tour of the Stoltzfus family farm, I learned how important the U.S. Department of Agriculture Certified Organic Label is.  Organic farm products are a growing market, and I am proud to represent a district that is embracing the movement toward natural processes and natural products.  I like organic farming because it’s good for farmers, it’s good for consumers, and it’s good for the environment.   

My next stop was a horse farm in near Unionville in Chester County.  Mary Hazzard was gracious enough to host a good old fashioned town meeting to allow people to come voice their opinions on the issues they are most concerned about.  I heard about their desire to slow down drivers and bring safety back to the country roads in rural Chester County.  This is primarily a matter for state and local governments, but something I am also very concerned about. 

I heard about concerns regarding illegal immigration.  I heard from people who were frustrated with their inability to get help on their farms, and I heard about people who were frustrated with people who have broken our laws taking advantage of the services our government offers.  Both of these are serious issues that need to be addressed by Congress.  I communicated my frustrations as a House member who has voted repeatedly to increase border security to stem the flow of illegal aliens, only to see the measures die in the Senate or go unfulfilled by the Administration.

I also took the opportunity to speak to those in attendance about the Farm Bill that recently passed the House.  The Farm Bill is the single largest piece of legislation setting forth our nation’s agricultural policies.  Renewed only every five years, the Farm Bill provides for a large range of programs, from food stamps and crop loss insurance to land conservation funding. 

The Farm Bill was passed by the House of Representatives at the end of July.  Unfortunately, Democrats chose to pay for increased funding in the bill by raising taxes by $7.5 billion, ending what had been a bipartisan effort.

I did support and vote for an alternate version of the Farm Bill that did not include the large tax increase on investment in the United States.  Because I know that constituents in my district care about land conservation, I supported the version that included numerous conservation programs, including an extension of the popular Conservation Reserve Enhacement Program (CREP) that would allow an additional 39.2 million acres to be enrolled in conservation by 2012.  The version of legislation I voted for would also expand funding for the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP).  This program provides matching funds to allow state and local governments, or non-governmental organizations to keep productive farm and ranchland from being developed for other uses. 

This year’s Farm Tour served as a great reminder of the unique quality of life we enjoy in our part of Pennsylvania.  The agricultural community is an important part of Southeastern Pennsylvania and I am proud to represent a district like Pennsylvania’s 16^th.  

I am always pleased to have the opportunity to tour facilities in my district; it allows me to stay connected with my constituents.  Hearing your concerns and explaining to you what I am working on in Washington benefits us both. 

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