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Crenshaw Tours Local Farms

Congressman Discusses Energy Costs and other Concerns with Local Farmers

August 7, 2008

(JASPER, FL) – Congressman Ander Crenshaw met in Jasper with several farmers at the Farm Service Agency office to listen to their concerns as to energy, immigration and the Farm Bill.  After the meeting, Crenshaw, FSA County Executive Director Don Burnam, and area farmers toured several local farms.  

Crenshaw briefed the farmers on a number of important legislative issues ranging from the death tax to the status of a major energy reform package.  During the visit, participants questioned Crenshaw on a variety of topics.  After the meeting, the group visited several area farms to obtain first hand information on new farming technologies and the impacts of energy costs to area farmers.

The costs of crops and livestock have risen 16 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, driven higher by rising costs for feedstock and fuel.  At the same time, livestock farmers struggling because of the high cost of grain for feed are lobbying the Bush administration to roll back incentives for ethanol production.

“It is time the federal government end ill-advised policies that have led to the proliferation of unique gasoline fuel formulas and have choked off supply and exacerbated the already painful cost of fuel, particularly to our local farmers,” stated Crenshaw.   “By regularly visiting with those who work in the agriculture field in my district, I am able to bring real life examples of how federal policies negatively affect average Americans back to the debate in Washington,” remarked Crenshaw.

During the tour and visit with area farmers, Crenshaw visited:

• Fraleigh Nursery.  During the visit, Crenshaw was able to obtain first-hand experience on Fraleigh’s patented, drip-water irrigation system that results in using less water, less chemicals and less energy.  Jay Fraleigh’s company, Gro-Eco, is a leader in the growing green area.

• Madison County.  During the stop in Madison County, Crenshaw visited with members of the Farm Bureau at the Bureau’s Headquarters in Madison.

• Birdsong Peanut Corp.’s plant in Madison County.  Crenshaw toured the facility and inspected the combine that was harvesting seed corn used for chicken feed. 

• Ginny Paarlberg showed Congressman Crenshaw a field of her perennial peanut hay crop and explained its uses.

After the actual farm visits, Crenshaw ended the day with a stop at the Baker County Chamber of Commerce to meet with a group of farmers and Executive Director Darryl Register, who is also a dairy farmer.

Rep. Crenshaw added, “Today has been an invaluable asset to me and my work to advance our local issues in Washington. Clearly energy costs remain the number one concern of all the constituents I met with today.  With global demand for energy skyrocketing and no plateau in sight, it is unconscionable that the current leadership in Congress has thwarted all efforts to consider a comprehensive energy plan. America’s families, small businesses, and farmers are struggling and I will continue to urge the majority party to take decisive action immediately.”

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