Strain Says Farmers Must Flex Political Muscle

By Sam Irwin and Linda Benedict, Special to Farm Bureau News

NEW ORLEANS -- Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said the state’s farmers need to protect and strengthen their position if they are to take advantage of the increasing worldwide demand for food, clothing and shelter.

“Here in Louisiana, agriculture can control its own destiny,” Strain said. “The Farm Bill is under attack by people who don’t know any better. We have to educate them.”

Strain and other ag officials spoke July 8 to the 89th annual convention of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. About 1,000 farmers and their families were in the Crescent City July 7-10. Strain, Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson and Dr. Bill Richardson, chancellor of the LSU AgCenter spoke to the general session of the convention Friday.

Stain, who told the group he plans to run for reelection in the fall, said farmers must urge Congress to fully fund farm programs which are part of the 2012 Farm Bill.

“Agriculture makes up less than one-half of one percent of the (federal) budget and yet it’s the largest industry in the United States,” Strain said. “Agriculture is the foundation of our entire economy and we must work together to protect it. We must begin to flex our muscles at all levels.”

Strain said “Mom and Pop America” is under duress because of higher food prices, but contended those stresses are partly caused by undue government restriction. He used the regulation of the nation’s federal guest worker program as an example.

“There are more and more restrictions on H2A and H2B workers,” Strain said. “Restrictions cost money in the pocketbook of the average American.”

Strain urged the convention attendees to contact their state and national political leaders and tell them to protect agriculture, forestry and aquaculture.

“It’s political season,” Strain said. “Visit with everybody running. Go see your legislators. They must understand who we are, what we do and what we produce.”

Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson echoed Strain’s comments. Anderson, who recently returned from a meeting with the state’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., said a fully-funded Farm Bill helps all Americans.

“When you consider the bulk of federal spending in the Farm Bill is for food and nutrition programs, it’s really low income and working families who benefit,” Anderson said. “Farm program spending offers farmers a safety net when commodity prices fall. It’s a way to keep farmers producing the food that keeps our nation secure.”

LSU AgCenter Chancellor Bill Richardson told farmers he expects to be before the LSU Board of Supervisors July 15 requesting permission to declare of state of financial emergency for the AgCenter.

“Since 2008 we’ve lost 20 percent of our budget,” Richardson said. “We’ve closed three of our research stations and we’re looking at closing more.”

Over the past few months, the AgCenter has closed three of its 20 research stations, the Coastal Area in Plaquemines Parish, the Rosepine Station in Vernon Parish and the Calhoun Research Station in Ouachita Parish.

Richardson said the AgCenter has eliminated 328 positions, more than a quarter of its workforce, since 2008. Despite these losses the chancellor he still faces a $3.1 million deficit over last year’s budget. If the emergency status is approved, he would be able to eliminate more jobs, which is the only way he will be able to sustain core programs, he said.

A. Denise Attaway contributed to this report