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Texas Agriculture Archive

May 7, 2004

TFB National Affairs Trip '04

An inside look at Texas Farm Bureau in action!

TFB state and county leaders pause for a photo with U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Dallas) (third from left) during the National Affairs Awards Trip. Meeting with the congressman (left to right) are TFB District 13 State Director Bobby Nedbalek; Sam Scott, Henderson County; Michael Organ, Lee County; Sam Destefano, Robertson County; and TFB Executive Director Vernie Glasson. Scott and Destefano are constituents of Rep. Hensarling.

By Tom Nicolette
TFB Media Services Director

• "You are the salt of the earth in this country."

• "My office is an open door to everyone in this room."

• "It's a pleasure to rediscover the influence of Farm Bureau."

• "I think its strength is its grassroots leadership."

• "It's the most wonderful, eye-opening experience that a producer could have."

These are just some of the comments heard on Capitol Hill during Texas Farm Bureau's 2004 National Affairs Awards Trip, March 30-April 2.

More than 100 state and county leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. with the purpose of informing their U.S. senators and representatives about various concerns and how they are impacting agricultural operations in Texas. The Farm Bureau leaders who qualified for the organization's annual awards trip did so by working with their elected officials on a regular basis, and participating in national affairs events.

"We had quite a few new people this year. Probably over 50 percent. I think they did an excellent job on their Hill visits," said TFB President Kenneth Dierschke. "Our members, lobbying for their points, were well taken. They (congressional delegation and staff) were appreciative of somebody coming by from agriculture. . .so they can be more informed to vote when those issues come up."

An energy bill, a national animal identification program, protection of the integrity of the 2002 farm bill, permanent repeal of death taxes and a U.S.- Central American Free Trade Agreement were some of the issues addressed by Texas farmers, ranchers and the men and women who represent them in the nation's capital.

With fuel costs at near record or above record levels in some areas of the country, the need for a new energy policy is on the minds of both members of Congress and Texas' largest farm organization. Planting, fertilizing and irrigating crops across the state will cost farmers more this year.

"We would like to see some more alternate energy such as ethanol be developed. We do need a cheaper source of fuel supply," said TFB President Dierschke.

The energy bill (S. 2095) would encourage a diversified portfolio for America's energy resource needs, and over the long-term, would be a huge asset to U.S. agriculture. Energy legislation has already passed in the House of Representatives (H.R. 6), but it has stalled in the Senate.

"It's the most comprehensive energy bill that's ever passed the House or the Senate," said U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, who addressed the Farm Bureau delegation over dinner. Barton is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Another House member concurred with the need for alternative fuel sources.

"I believe we've got to do a better job in America of not only encouraging conservation, but encouraging production of renewable sources of energy," said U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, who sits on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees. "On my list that includes ethanol, solar energy, geothermal—even nuclear energy that is clean, safe and renewable. I think ethanol is one way to help our ag producers make a decent living and at the same time lessen our dependence upon Middle Eastern oil."

Both Texas senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn support the current energy bill.

"We need a national energy policy that takes into account our natural resources that we have in the United States. It gives us an opportunity to relieve some of our dependence on imported oil and gas. By not passing an energy bill, we basically continue to rely too much on that imported oil and gas. We lose in terms of competitiveness in the global economy where it becomes more expensive to produce fertilizer and other things that depend on natural gas," Sen. Cornyn emphasized.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's proposed national animal identification program received considerable attention. Farm Bureau leaders reemphasized from the House to the Senate side of Capitol Hill three main concerns with the program. Producers are concerned about how much of the cost of the program will be passed along to them; the confidentiality of the information in the system; and the burden of additional liability.

The ranking minority member of the House Agriculture Committee supports the program initially as voluntary and then evolving into a mandatory system. With the help of numerous agricultural groups, the least cost to producers and a workable, efficient program can be achieved, U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm told the entire Farm Bureau delegation.

"I think the national ID program is coming. Like it or not, here it is," said U.S. Rep. Max Sandlin. "Since it is here on the horizon, I think it's very important that Congress work with agriculture to find a way to do it the most efficient way possible, in a way that doesn't cost much money to the producer."

Cattle and poultry producer David Alders of Nacogdoches said he understands the issues of concern surrounding the proposed livestock identification program. "I think our congressional delegation here is focused on Texas Farm Bureau's position and our needs in that area," Alders said.

Rumors abound on Capitol Hill that lawmakers may try to reopen the 2002 farm bill to decrease the level of funding for program crops and allocate those funds to other federal programs. But Farm Bureau supports the law and will oppose all attempts to change it.

TFB State Director for District 13 Bobby Nedbalek, who raises cotton and grain sorghum in the Coastal Bend, said he is very much interested in farm program funding.

"We have a very, very good, responsive type program that has budget costs that go down when prices are good, and when market prices are not good, it's a safety net. We want to emphasize that and hope we can continue in this farm program not only through its termination, but to extend it when it comes time to review it in 2007," Nedbalek said.

"The farm bill must perform like it is for the next several years. Let the farm bill run its course as a counter cyclical system," House Agriculture Committee member Rep. Randy Neu-gebauer told Farm Bureau leaders.

For Farm Bureau leaders, both first-timers and veterans to Washington, this trip proved to be a valuable experience.

"This is a fact-finding trip for me. The ease of getting into the offices, getting an audience with the representatives and their staff has been fantastically easy. They are really accessible to the public," said livestock producer and teacher Michael Organ of Lexington.