Agriculture committee chairwoman to kick off public policy conference

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow will kick off the Washington Public Policy Conference, delivering the keynote address at the Opening General Session Breakfast on Tuesday, October 1. In her role as Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Stabenow plays a pivotal role in shaping our nation’s agricultural policies. Senator Stabenow will discuss the public policy opportunities and challenges facing the produce industry, including the status of the Farm Bill and comprehensive immigration reform.

Chairwoman Stabenow, long considered the congressional champion of specialty crops, spearheaded efforts in advancing the 2013 Farm Bill through the Senate. This important piece of legislation increases funding to key policy priorities for the produce industry including Specialty Crop Block Grants ($70 million), Specialty Crop Research Initiative ($50 million), Pest and Plant Disease mitigation ($65 million), Market Access Program ($200 million) and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program ($150 million). Chairwoman Stabenow has used the 2013 Farm Bill passed by the Senate in June to build on the nearly $3 billion total commitment to specialty crop programs begun in the 2008 Farm Bill by increasing investments in these important programs during the 2013 Farm Bill debate. In addition, Chairwoman Stabenow has been a strong supporter of other key industry priorities, such as passage of comprehensive immigration reform that includes a new agriculture guest worker program.

“Chairwoman Stabenow is a strong supporter of the nation’s produce industry and has shown outstanding leadership for advancing the Farm Bill in the Senate, as well as her work on other important legislation,” said Ray Gilmer, vice president of issues management & communication. “We look forward to hearing her views about how we can work with her and other lawmakers to ensure that the produce industry gets the support it needs on research, marketing, labor and so many other industry priorities.”

Stabenow headlines the United Fresh Washington Public Policy Conference, which brings together produce industry leaders to advocate on Capitol Hill for critical public policies needed to keep America’s produce industry competitive. During the conference, produce industry leaders meet with key members of Congress and their staff, as well as officials from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For more information:
Angela Tiwari, Political Affairs Manager
United Fresh Org
Tel: 202-303-3416
Email: atiwari@unitedfresh.org

Publication date: Wed 18 Sep 2013