Farmers seek change during Congressional visit

FB leaders take their concerns to Congress

By Jim Morris
CFBF Communications/News Division
Faced with concerns about labor, crop protection tools, meat labeling and tax reform, 20 California farmers had plenty on their minds during a visit to Capitol Hill early this month.

The group, organized by the California Farm Bureau Federation, met with representatives and California Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein Barbara Boxer.

"It was a phenomenal success," Stanislaus County peach, almond and walnut farmer Vito Chiesa said. "There's no other approach as effective as a face-to-face meeting. I really believe we made a difference by being there." Farmers met with about 40 congressional representatives from both parties representing each region of the state. "It's all about personal relationships," participant Barbara Wiswell of Elk Grove said. "We're trying to put a face to agriculture."

Ensuring agriculture's voice is heard remains a challenge, but Paul Wenger of Modesto, CFBF second vice president, said the delegation did its job in distinguishing itself from the thousands of other groups in Washington seeking a legislator's ear.

"I think the one thing about Farm Bureau is that you bring in producers who are directly affected by the rules and regulations debated by Congress. Our farmers are genuine, they're real, their stories are real and that's what makes the difference." Doug Mosebar of Santa Ynez, CFBF first vice president, said first-hand accounts of the issues provide great weight in Congress. "When you're personally affected by legislation then you can readily relate how it's going to affect you and create a better or worse environment. You seem to speak with more energy."

A trip priority included sensible implementation of the pending Food Quality Protection Act, a law passed in 1996 that requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to re-evaluate nearly 10,000 pesticide tolerances during the next decade. "We feel we made progress so it's implemented in a fair and just manner," Mosebar said.

Farmers say they hope progress on FQPA reform will result after lawmakers heard of the possible adverse effects the act could have on food supplies.

"We found a lot of sympathy on both sides of the aisle," delegate Chiesa said. "Everyone eats food so it's a subject near and dear to their hearts. The talks went very well. Legislators seemed very sympathetic." The Regulatory Fairness and Openness Act of 1999, House Resolution 1592, was recently introduced by Congressmen Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, and Gary Condit, D-Ceres, to help ensure EPA uses sound science in pesticide evaluations. Farm Bureau strongly supports the legislation.

Concerns about adequate labor prompted farmer delegates to push representatives to support legislation to reform the current H-2A program, allowing increased numbers of foreign workers into the U.S. to fill farm jobs if there's not an adequate amount of domestic labor.

Farmers also said the labor shortage already showed up in the Imperial Valley this year and could be widespread. "We were short of laborers last year and with a few bigger crops expected I doubt there will be adequate labor," winegrape grower Richard Mounts of Healdsburg said.

Wenger said farmers must remain diligent in trying to pass labor reforms because relief is in doubt. "A lot of times Congress has to read about wholesale problems in the press," he said. "I'm afraid that's where we're headed. Even with a real broad-based push for change, I think we're going to soon see some fairly large labor shortages." Trip participants spoke out on the merits of country-of-origin labeling of meat products.

Steve Soderstrom, a cow-calf rancher from San Luis Obispo, said he thought progress was made during the visits, though more work will be needed to ensure the change. "We in the U.S. feel we've made great strides forward in designing beef that's fit for the new American lifestyle, leaner but still maintaining juiciness, flavor and tenderness," Soderstrom said. "This country-of-origin labeling would be our way to create a brand identification that the consumer knows that if they buy a piece of beef that has 'Product of USA' on the label that they can count on the quality. By choosing the USA products they're going to strengthen the beef industry in the U.S. by keeping their business with us."

A congressional reception in the House Agriculture Committee Room attracted more than 125 people, including more than a dozen representatives from California, North Carolina and Texas. Reps. George Radanovich, R- Mariposa, and Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, added to the festivities by pouring wine. An unexpected visitor at the reception by former California Assemblywoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, a Democratic Congresswoman from Torrance, provided a highlight for many of the California visitors.

"I was really surprised and excited to see her there," hay grower Jim Verboon of Laton said. "She viewed it as an opportunity to work together for the best interests of California." "For her to search us out was one of the more exciting things," Wenger said. "She said she wanted to see us in her office the next time we're in Washington. She saw the need that even though she's from an urban area that what affects agriculture also affects her district because they are our consumers. She's opened the door."

The trip sparked other doors to open, as representatives want to hear concerns about keep agriculture viable and maintaining an abundant, affordable food supply. "Farm Bureau has made a very good name for itself in Washington and other regions," Mosebar said. "When we're walking around making our visits and addressing the issues, we heighten our presence there."

During a meeting with Sen. Feinstein, delegate Wiswell relayed tax concerns that could hamper her parents' sheep ranch in Lincoln. "She did listen," Wiswell said. "We'll have to follow up on where she goes with it. That will be the measure of our effectiveness." Farmers who made the 3,000-mile journey said the trip is part of a continuing effort to press legislators on the issues to get the needed results.

Rapid urbanization of California makes agricultural education more important, they added. "That's what makes it exciting and shows the challenge," Wenger said. "We're going to have more and more elected officials with no relation to agriculture. We really need to work with these people."

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.