In over their heads Herald Palladium July 3, 2019 SODUS — Southwest Michigan farmers are struggling to keep their heads above water, and it’s not just because of the wet weather, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton heard Tuesday. “Number one this year is Mother Nature,” said Sodus farmer Russel Costanza, hosting one of Upton’s farm tour stops. “Weather is one part of the problem. Competing with global imports is another part. It’s not a level playing field.” Most of the Midwest has seen near-record levels of r... Read more

Upton Visits Farms Impacted by Bad Weather WSJM July 2, 2019 Farms throughout the Midwest are struggling with near-record amounts of rain this year, putting crops well behind normal for growth. Congressman Fred Upton visited three farms in southwest Michigan on Tuesday and said during a trip to Illinois this week, he saw several fields outside of Michigan still underwater. The St. Joseph Republican said the problems are becoming widespread. “Everyone’s competing all at the same time, so when you... Read more

Congressman Fred Upton visits struggling southwest Michigan farmers WNDU July 2, 2019 SODUS, Mich. (WNDU) - U.S. Rep. Fred Upton has returned home to southwest Michigan to hear from farmers about the challenges they're facing because of the weather this year. “Right now, I'm standing in front of a bunch of tomato plants that should've been in the field probably a week ago,” said Fred Leitz of Leitz Farms LLC in Sodus. A polar vortex wiped out crops across the Midwest during the winter months, an... Read more

Fred Upton tours local farms amidst farmers trying to recuperate from heavy rains WSBT July 2, 2019 This summer’s weather has wreaked havoc with area farmers' planting schedules, so much so that Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer has formally requested a disaster declaration from the USDA. Plenty of farmers planted late along Conrad Road in Cass County because of the rainy weather. When WSBT 22 visited the farm a few weeks ago, we stood ankle-deep in mud -- not great conditions for planting. T... Read more

Farmers show Rep. Upton the challenges they're facing this year ABC 57 July 2, 2019 Farmers in Michiana are struggling because the wet weather delayed spring planting. Lawmakers in Washington are trying to find a way to help the farmers. Extreme weather and persistent heavy rainfall has delayed planting for farmers across the state of Michigan. On Tuesday, Southwest Michigan farmers showed Upton the destructive impact the weather has had on their fields, “This rain has been something else. Our g... Read more

Eyeing Michigan farm damage first-hand, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton renews calls for relief WWMT July 2, 2019 VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. — After a day of touring barren farm fields in West Michigan on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton offered one word: Heartbreaking. "We have seen this rain, almost every single day, really going back to March," Upton, R-St. Joseph, said Tuesday while walking a desolated field outside Paw Paw, Michigan. "As we've been listening to farmers all over the district, they can't get ... Read more

Congressman Upton takes in planting woes Brownfield Ag News July 2, 2019 A Michigan Congressman is meeting with growers in the Eastern Corn Belt to see the extent of delays firsthand. Congressman Fred Upton tells Brownfield farmers across his district in Southwest Michigan are weeks behind or completely unable to grow crops this year. “It’s a nightmare and with prices as variant as they are, we’re trying to get accurate ag statistics. But, it’s not just us, it’s everywhere, it’s the whole region... Read more

Upton discusses trade, immigration, other issues with West MI Chamber Holland Sentinel June 17, 2019 HOLLAND — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, was in Holland Monday morning to speak on various issues relevant to West Michigan and the entire country. Speaking at the Holland Civic Center, Upton was the featured guest during the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce’s annual member breakfast. Upton, who represents Michigan’s 6th Congressional District, spoke of recent trade issues between the U... Read more

Rep. Upton speaks on trade war ABC 57 May 13, 2019 BENTON HARBOR, Mich.--- US Representative Fred Upton spoke with Benton Harbor manufacturing leaders in a round table discussion on Monday. The discussion was mainly centered around the trade war between the United States and China. After discussions broke down between the US and China, President Trump announced that he was increasing tariffs on Chinese goods. In retaliation, China announced on Monday that it was increasing tariffs on US imports.... Read more

'A pretty high price' Upton talks tariffs, economy with SWMI manufacturers The Herald-Palladium May 14, 2019 BENTON HARBOR — On the day China announced it would further escalate the ongoing trade war with the United States, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton addressed his stance on tariffs with several Southwest Michigan manufacturers. Upton, R-St. Joseph, met with a handful of companies Monday for a roundtable discussion in Benton Harbor, which included Gast Manufacturing, Hanson Mold, Vail Rubber, Vickers E... Read more