Davids Hosts USDA Deputy Secretary, Policymakers to Discuss Supporting Kansas’ Agriculture Professionals

OLATHE, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Former Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam, and other policymakers to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas’ farmers and producers. The group toured a local farm, held a discussion with regional agriculture professionals, and ate a lunch of locally sourced food.

WATCH: Davids hosts a press conference with Torres Small, Roberts, and Beam

“Kansas farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation, providing food and resources to folks here at home and around the world,” said Davids. “I was honored to be joined by so many agriculture professionals and policymakers from both parties as we work to ensure Kansas producers have the support needed to thrive. The Farm Bill is not a partisan issue. It's a common-sense solution to lower grocery costs and safeguard our food supply, create good-paying jobs in rural America, and sustain Kansas’ agricultural heritage for generations to come. I’ll continue working to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill this year.”

Throughout the day, the need to overcome partisan gridlock and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill reauthorization was consistently highlighted. The Farm Bill, which includes provisions expiring on September 30, 2024, is a package of legislation reauthorized about every five years that includes several critically important agriculture, conservation, nutrition, and trade programs. Davids reiterated her commitment to collaboration across party lines and prioritizing Kansas farmers during the Farm Bill reauthorization.

"Rural America is hard at work, producing the food, fiber, and fuel our nation relies on,” said Xochitl Torres Small, Deputy Secretary, USDA. “President Biden's historic investment in rural America supports that work all across our country, through real-life solutions to decades-old challenges — bringing high-speed internet to communities across the nation, updating wastewater infrastructure, and increasing competition through more and better markets. USDA is committed to investing in farmers to promote growth and build a stronger, more sustainable economy for people in rural communities throughout Kansas and the nation."

“It was a pleasure to join Sharice in Olathe today and listen firsthand to our farmers and ranchers discuss the challenges they face,” said Pat Roberts, former U.S. Senator (R-KS) and Chairman of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. “Our producers need and deserve the security and predictability that can only come with the passage of a bipartisan Farm Bill.  Having been a part of eight Farm Bill negotiations, including four as Chairman, I know firsthand that passage only takes place when Members put aside their differences and reach across the aisle. I thank Deputy Secretary Torres Small and my former colleague Colin Peterson for their participation.”

"I’m thankful that Congresswoman Davids assembled such an impressive group of agricultural leaders today, especially Deputy Secretary Torres Small,” said Mike Beam, Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture. “I sense everyone enjoyed the chance to have federal policy priorities discussion, including the importance of passing a Farm Bill as soon as possible."

Along with Torres Small, Roberts, and Beam, Davids was joined by former Representatives Collin Peterson (MN-07), Chair of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and Jim Slattery (KS-02). The group first toured Finley Farms, a family-owned and operated farm growing primarily corn and soybeans, in Edgerton, KS. Finley Farms recently used USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding to build a tiled floor system, allowing water to drain properly to avoid land erosion and conserve soil.

Then, the group held a roundtable discussion on the state of Kansas agriculture with representatives from the Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Farmers Union, National Crop Insurance Services, Kansas Livestock Association, and other commodity groups, grocers, and local agriculture professionals. Following the conversation, the group ate a locally sourced lunch provided by Kansas State University.

"It is an honor to spend the day in Kansas with my former colleagues and friends in agriculture," said Collin Peterson, former U.S. Representative (D-MN-07) and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. "I continue to be impressed by the work of Rep. Davids as she navigates the farm bill process. She truly understands the importance of bipartisan coalitions and pragmatic lawmaking and I think she has a great future as a strong leader on the House Agriculture Committee."

“It is critically important for Kansas to have bipartisan representation in Congress, and this is especially important for the Agriculture Committee,” said Jim Slattery,former U.S. Representative (KS-02). “As someone who has a farm in Kansas, the crop insurance program is important to all producers in Kansas and is perhaps the most successful Farm Bill program.”

Prior to today’s events and to prepare for the Farm Bill reauthorization process, Davids embarked on a Farm Bill listening tour visiting 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, and toured a dairy farm in Garnett.