Congressman John D. Dingell

August 6, 2008

Monroe, MI - {Tuesday, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) took part in his annual tour of agricultural operations in the 15th Congressional District. The Congressman visited two farms in Monroe County and participated in a Town Hall meeting with nearly 80 agricultural leaders from his congressional district on Monday night.

“This summer, I joined with my colleagues to pass the 2008 Farm Bill.  This legislation holds a number of opportunities for our farmers and residents in Monroe County from the creation of a specialty crop block grant program and new dedicated funding for specialty crop research and pest detection, to increased Food Stamp Benefits and grants for the construction and retrofitting of biorefineries that will increase production of advanced biofuels,” Dingell said. “I appreciate the opportunity to tell them what's happening in Washington, but what is even more important is the chance for me to listen to the challenges they face and for us to explore together ways in which I can assist them in a very unpredictable, but critical, industry for this district and our state.”

The Congressman's first stop focused on carbon sequestration. He visited a family-owned farm in Temperance where farmers are working with Ohio State University to study how continuous no-till crop production releases less carbon dioxide into the air. Farmers can receive sequestration credits for employing practices such as no-till farming or through forestry practices, like avoided deforestation.

“I'm pleased to meet farmers who are stepping up to the challenge that we all face from global warming,” Dingell said. “These new techniques could well be the standard operating procedure for all farmers in the near future.”

On his second stop, the Congressman discussed a variety of issues of with Monroe farmers, including specialty crops assistance and food safety. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Dingell has taken a leading role in the investigation of the Food & Drug Administration and recent spread of problems from food borne illnesses like Salmonella.

“The farmers in my district are some of the most decent and capable people I have come to know.  Unfortunately, while they take great pains to ensure that the food they produce is healthy and safe; their competitors overseas do not adhere to these same standards.  As a result when we have a scare, like the recent Salmonella outbreak in tomatoes, the market floods with fear and the safe food being grown locally suffers the same consequences as the bad stuff coming in.   Without a level playing field, the reputation of our farmers will continue to be raked through the mud. As Chairman I want to make sure our foreign counterparts are producing under the same safety and quality regulations that American farmers are held to.”

Farmers at the town hall and the farm visits asked the Congressman about the Farm Bill passed by the House last May.

“The new farm bill maintains the important safety net that served many farmers well over the past five years, with some necessary reforms to ensure that farm payments are distributed equitably to those who need it most,” Dingell said.  “It also expands vital nutrition programs that help over a million Michigan residents put food on the table each month.  Furthermore, it will increase conservation programs that provide important rewards to farmers who go the extra mile in protecting our valuable resources. 

“As a whole, H.R. 2419 is a good investment in our farmers and producers.  I feel confident Michigan farmers and producers will benefit from this final bill, as will the folks in Michigan who have fallen on hard times.”

The farm tour, organized through the Michigan State University Extension Office in Monroe County, consisted of two stops in Monroe County. Representatives from the Monroe and Washtenaw County Conservation Districts, Washtenaw Land Trust and the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Farm Service Agency participated in the town hall discussions.