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Farmers Push for Farm Bill Changes ; Ag Secretary Hears Ideas During Forum

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 September 2005, 15:00 CDT

DECATUR - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns got an earful on the 2007 Farm Bill from central Illinois farmers at the Farm Progress Show Thursday.

"The recipe for farm programs had been to keep stirring the same old stew," said Phil Nelson, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau. "We add a little direct farm payments, some LDPs (loan deficiency payments) and sweeten it with some conservation programs, and hopefully it tastes good. We think it's time to think out of the box and try a new recipe."

Nelson testified at a farm bill forum held at Richland Community College Thursday afternoon while the Farm Progress Show continued next door.

He asked Johanns to concentrate on five areas: enhancing risk- management products, fully implementing conservation programs, adding infrastructure to rural Illinois areas for broadband and communication, emphasizing free trade, and having agencies work more closely together.

"These came out of our Farm Bureau farm policy task force," Nelson said.

Jerseyville farmer Henry Kallal, a member of that task force, told Johanns the federal legislation doesn't benefit farmers who don't produce a crop, as will be the case with many in central Illinois because of this year's drought.

"We need to transition away from loan deficiencies toward a subsidized, insurance-based safety net," Kallal said.

Johanns was so intrigued he asked for a copy of the task force report.

"He took the book," Nelson said. "That's a good sign."

Earlier, Johanns traveled to northern Illinois with U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert to assess drought damage.

"We walked into a cornfield, and we'd peel back one ear and there would be four or five kernels," Johanns said. "We peeled back another ear and there was nothing there. The third ear was maybe half or two-thirds filled out. I've already signed a declaration of disaster for the area."

Johanns, a former governor of Nebraska, said in his six years in that office, farmers in Nebraska suffered through four years of drought.

"Our last drought-relief package beat everyone's goal in terms of getting funds out to farmers," he said.

However, Johanns said his main reason for being in Illinois Thursday was to listen to farmers.

"I want to ensure that the next farm bill meets the needs of agriculture in the 21st century," he said. "We felt the best way to lay the platform for the 2007 Farm Bill was to do nationwide listening sessions."

He's already held such sessions in 13 states.

Andy Freeland, 17, of Mount Zion, told Johanns he wants to be able to take over his father's operation when the time comes.

"What do I do with costs going up and prices going down? Eventually I won't be able to afford to farm," he said.

Andy Wujek of Del Monte Foods in Mendota asked Johanns to allow farmers to plant fruits and vegetables and not be penalized in farm programs. He contracts with more than 200 growers who raise peas, sweet corn and lima beans.

"The current farm program discourages producers from growing fruits and vegetables because they have to opt out of the program," Wujek said.

Steve Wentworth of Macon County wanted Johanns to look into trade issues.

"We built a 10-acre greenhouse to grow red, yellow and green peppers," Wentworth said. "We created 35 new jobs in DeWitt County. We're under real stress now because of Dutch trade barriers. Our cost to produce peppers is $16 to $17 per 11-pound box. Since early March, the Dutch have been flying peppers in and selling them for $11 a box. If we face that in the coming year, we'll have real trouble putting the '06 crop in."

Source: State Journal Register

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