House Ag Chairman Collects Comments During Farm Bill Session At Missouri State Fair

House Representatives (from left) Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), GT Thompson (R-PA), and Mark Alford (R-MO), along with Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, are seated at the beginning of a Farm Bill listening session Aug. 14th, 2023. The session took place during the 121st Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. (Photo by Kyle Hill, Alpha Ag Network)

Four members of the House Agriculture Committee fielded comments from farm families and state commodity leaders Monday at the latest Farm Bill listening session, hosted at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. The hearing took place in the congressional district of Missouri’s lone member of the committee, Republican Mark Alford.

Central MO Info · 23 0814 Rep Mark Alford (R-MO) on Farm Bill priorities

Centralia cattle producer Nathan Martin delivers remarks during the Farm Bill listening session Aug. 14th, 2023. Martin, past chairman of the Missouri Beef Industry Council, was one of 16 people who provided comments during the session held at the 121st Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. (Photo by Kyle Hill, Alpha Ag Network)

The session lasted 80 minutes and featured comments from 16 audience members. After the session, House Ag Committee chairman GT Thompson of Pennsylvania called the session productive.

Central MO Info · 23 0814 House Ag Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) on comments received in Sedalia

Thompson says committee members have hosted over 50 sessions, including one last year in Northwest Missouri, and also fielded comments earlier this year through an online portal. However, Thompson acknowledged that limited time remains to complete a new Farm Bill before the current measure expires in 45 days. He says writing the bill won’t be the issue, but instead getting it on the House calendar.

Central MO Info · 23 0814 House Ag Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) on timetable for passing the new bill

Thompson added that an extension of the current Farm Bill will likely be necessary.

Central MO Info · 23 0814 House Ag Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) on potential extension

Committee members, Texas Republican Monica De La Cruz and Illinois Democrat Jonathan Jackson, also took part in Monday’s listening session. Joining them were East Central Missouri Republican Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, and Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn.