Michigan apple grower and USApple board member, Chris Alpers of Redpath Orchards, Lake Leelanau, MI, will speak at one of the early U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee hearings on reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Held this Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Michigan State University's Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center campus, Alpers is one of a few experts hand-selected by the committee to speak at the hearing titled, “Growing Jobs and Economic Opportunity: Perspectives on the 2018 Farm Bill from Michigan.”
“The Farm Bill affects agriculture in so many ways, so it’s gratifying the Senate wanted an apple grower’s voice to help shape these critical deliberations,” said Jim Bair, president and CEO of USApple.
The committee, under the leadership of Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), will listen to producers from a wide variety of commodities give an account of the impact of the 2014 Farm Bill and priorities for the 2018 legislation. Alpers, representing both USApple and its sister organization at the state level, the Michigan Apple Committee, will focus his testimony on the importance of maintaining and growing funding for crop insurance, research and trade promotion programs. Alpers will also emphasize the critical need for a reliable, legal and stable workforce, calling on Congress to pass much-needed reforms.
“Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop, so it is appropriate that apples are represented at the hearing on Saturday,” said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee. “As a large producer of apples in our state, and a grower who is involved on the state and national levels, I know Chris Alpers will represent the industry well and speak to the many ways in which the Michigan Apple industry benefits from the Farm Bill.”
The hearing will be webcast live on the Senate Agriculture Committee website.
Contact:
Korenna Wilson
U.S. Apple Association
Tel: 703-442-8850