Rep. Davids visits local produce farm ahead of Farm Bill negotiations
Third District representative Sharice Davids visited Bowlin Farms in Olathe Tuesday as part of her Farm Bill Listening Tour.
The Farm Bill is a package of federal legislation passed approximately every five years impacting farming livelihoods, how food is grown and what kinds of foods are grown. It covers crop insurance, healthy food for low income families, farmer training, support for sustainable practices and more.
The current bill has been extended until Sept. 30 by Congress, and negotiations are reopening soon.
“Farmers, ranchers, and producers are the backbone of our economy and communities, and it’s critical that their voices guide the upcoming Farm Bill negotiations,” Davids said. “By continuing to connect with agricultural leaders across the Third District, I’m committed to ensuring the next Farm Bill supports the needs of every operation, from multi-generational farms like Bowlin Farms to our specialty crop growers and beyond.”
During her visit to the multi-generational farm, she toured the facilities and discussed the needs of local farmers heading into the next Farm Bill.
As a member of the Kansas City Food Hub, Bowlin Farms supplies fresh food to local school districts, including Gardner and Spring Hill, frequently participates in farmers markets, and hosts student field trips to educate young people about where their food comes from.
To prepare for the Farm Bill discussion, Davids embarked on a Farm Bill listening tour, where she visited a poultry and livestock operation in Anderson County, a co-op in Franklin County, a goat farm in Miami County, an organic vegetable farm in Johnson County, and an educational community farm in Wyandotte County. Davids also toured a Garnett-based renewable ethanol producer, participated in FFA activities at Spring Hill High School, served a school lunch at Black Bob Elementary in Olathe, spoke with industry leaders on financial support programs for farmers, toured a dairy farm in Garnett, and more.