ICYMI: Davids Hosts Bipartisan Policymakers for Farm Tour, Discussion on Boosting Kansas’ Agriculture Economy
Recently, Representative Sharice Davids hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Former Kansas Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam, and other policymakers from both parties to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas’ farmers and producers. The group toured a local farm, held a discussion and press conference with regional agriculture professionals, and ate a lunch of locally sourced food.
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). Throughout the day, the need to overcome partisan gridlock and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill reauthorization was consistently highlighted.
Davids’ efforts to support Kansas’ agriculture economy made headlines across Kansas:
Kansas Reflector: “Davids, Roberts anxious about Washington gridlock inhibiting development of new farm bill”
“Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and former Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts share bipartisan angst about political gridlock impeding progress on a new five-year farm bill outlining federal programs in agriculture, conservation, nutrition and trade.
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‘You can see that the economy and the future of our state is so tied up on how well our farmers and producers in the ag sector are doing,’ said Davids, who serves the five-county 3rd District. ‘The farm bill is not a partisan issue. I’ll continue working to pass a bipartisan farm bill this year.’
She said after touring a Johnson County farm and taking part in a roundtable discussion on agriculture that the tradition of the House and Senate taking a bipartisan approach to the farm bill was being challenged by combative politicians in Washington, D.C.
‘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,’ Davids said.
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[Roberts] said serving as agriculture committee chairman during work on four farm bills taught him lawmakers — urban and rural, conservative and liberal — had to set aside differences and reach across the aisle.
‘We know the most important thing when you get down to it is to get a bill passed to provide farmers certainty and predictability,’ Roberts said. ‘That is the most important question you have with the farm bill. Unfortunately, that is not the most important question we see today in the House of Representatives.’”
“Congresswoman Sharice Davids promises to get a Farm Bill across the finish line in DC for Kansas and she talked with local Kansas farmers and agriculture officials. The work on the Farm Bill has stretched out for nearly a year.
‘It’s not just this piece of paper. It’s actually a critical piece of legislation and lifeline for our farmers.’
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Former Kansas Senator Pat Roberts was at Congresswoman Davids’ roundtable. He blamed a group of lawmakers who are part of the Freedom Caucus for delaying the Farm Bill.
‘That’s not the House that House that I represented for many years, or, for that matter, the Senate. And it is very troubling to me.’”
“On Wednesday, March 27th, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids hosted a roundtable discussion in Olathe about the accomplishments and challenges farmers and producers face in Kansas.
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‘When I get the chance to talk to folks — first of all, the Farm Bill is a must pass piece of legislation … and a bunch of those programs, things like crop insurance, things like the programs for cover crops … those are the kinds of programs that have a lifeline because of the Farm Bill.’
Rep. Davids said that she is optimistic that the Farm Bill will pass.
‘If it takes longer than it needs to, I wouldn’t look at it as a Farm Bill not passing. I would look at it as, if absolutely necessary, we will extend so that we can continue the negotiations. But we will get a Farm Bill done.’
Rep. Davids said she wants people to know the work is getting done, and that she is focused on supporting Kansas resources.”
The Gardner News: “US Rep. Davids visits local farm, hosts policymakers for Farm Bill discussion”
The future of farming in Kansas was the center of the conversation March 27.
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Davids said the day had been fun and informative, and Finley Farms was a ‘prime’ example of a small, thriving agriculture business.
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‘Kansas farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation, providing food and resources to folks here at home and around the world,’ she said.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small said it was through investment that the Finley family was able to look at the best and most efficient way to grow their crops and ‘be able to pass that farm on for generations.’
‘We know we succeed when we invest in farmers and rural communities,’ she said.
Former Senator Pat Roberts said a six generation farm is unusual. ‘And probably the most serious question we have is where is the next generation of farmers going to come from,’ he said. ‘Finley Farms has that answer so our hats off to them.’
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‘You can see the economy and the future of our State is so tied up into how well our farmers and producers in the Ag sector are doing,’ she said. Davids said they need to get to the root of the issues folks are facing and addressing the most pressing challenges.
Davids said 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 American and sustain Kansas’ agricultural heritage for generations to come,’ she said.
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Roberts said Davids is doing a great job and sitting on the wagon tongue listening to her constituents.
‘Farmers never put their seed in the ground if he or she didn’t have optimism that they wouldn’t have a crop,’ he said. Roberts said, however, this year was different. ‘This is different from 2018,’ he said. ‘Always before the Ag Committee would come out with a bi-partisan agreement.’
Roberts said the most important thing is to get a bill passed; especially the Farm Bill. ‘To provide farmers certainty and predictability,’ he said. ‘That is the most important question you have with the Farm Bill. Unfortunately, that is not the most important question we see today in the House of Representatives. The stars in our constellation are much different from the ones that we are today.’
Roberts said he ‘chalks up’ the bill’s gridlock issues to ideology and partisanship.
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Roberts said Davids had been a ‘jewel’ with all her hard work trying to bring everyone together. In return, Davids said Roberts had been an invaluable resource for her and her team.
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Davids said everyone needs to do everything they can to make sure politics ‘doesn’t hinder’ the ability to help and support farmers access essential resources for daily decision making, business operations and putting food on their tables. ‘Because they are putting food on everyone else’s table,’ she said.
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Davids said she views her role as 3rd District Representative as representing everyone.
‘I think of this role as being of collaboration and listening and trying to support with federal resources where I can,’ she said.”
“Former Sen. Pat Roberts had some stern words for the Republican House Freedom caucus at a press conference urging the passage of the Farm Bill. Roberts, who was invited to speak by Rep. Sharice Davids, said ‘ideologues’ in the House were preventing Congress from doing its business, like reauthorizing the Farm Bill to give farmers some stability.
‘If you’re an ideologue, they’re right, you’re wrong, and no amount of talking or reasonable conversation or whatever is going to bring them to the table,’ Roberts said. ‘That’s what we’re faced with. Quite frankly, the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is in danger of losing their majority, due to this kind of performance or non-performance. And they’re not doing their constituents any favors.’
Roberts commended Davids for listening to farmers and urged bipartisan passage of the farm bill, which may be unlikely to happen before the end of the year.”