House Ag Committee hears from valley farmers

May 4, 2010

California farmers would like the 2012 farm bill to provide help for struggling dairies, incentives for reducing air pollution and support for a legal farm work force, according to testimony at a House Agriculture Committee hearing yesterday at Fresno City Hall reported in today's Fresno Bee.

The story, written by Robert Rodriguez, said an almond grower who requested help for purchasing new tractors that meet state air quality regulations heard from Rep. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, that it may be a tough sell in the nation's capital.

"We can't drive public policy on what one state does," he said. "We are going to have to make some tough choices."

Speakers at the meeting said low dairy prices have hurt California dairy operators and that a significant majority of people willing to do farm work lack proper immigration status.


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By Jeannette E. Warnert
Author - Communications Specialist