Turek Meets with Legislators in Washington

Sumner County farmer Tim Turek, vice president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG), was recently on Capitol Hill to meet with Kansas senators and representatives to discuss issues important to wheat producers and to express appreciation for their leadership on behalf of Kansas farmers.

“We covered a range of agriculture-related issues, including the importance of trade and how vital Canada and Mexico are to U.S. farmers,” Turek said.

During meetings with U.S. SenatorJerry Moran, Turek expressed appreciation for recent action involving the Food for Peace program, which was temporarily moved to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“This will allow for more efficient use of resources that help feed hungry people and often develop into foreign trade,” Turek said. “About a third of the wheat produced in the United States goes to food aid.”

Moran introduced legislation last year which would permanently move the Food for Peace program to USDA and has said he remains committed to that effort.

“For 70 years, Kansas farmers have sent their commodities to starving populations around the world, and this decision will help continue that legacy and bring the program closer to the farmers and producers who grow the crops,” Moran said.

Turek also expressed appreciation for USDA’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, which is expected to provide economic assistance to farmers later this month.

“The average farmer in the United States has been operating at a net loss for three years and is enduring one of the most challenging farm economies in recent memory,” Turek said. “Equipment is aging and expensive to replace or repair, while fertilizer and other inputs continue to drive up the cost of production.”

Additional priorities discussed by KAWG members included provisions being considered under Farm Bill 2.0.

“Updates to the Farm Credit Title, making Food for Peace a permanent part of USDA, reauthorization of the Conservation Reserve Program, and agriculture labeling uniformity are all important issues to Kansas wheat farmers,” Turek said.

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary USDA program that provides annual rental payments to farmers for 10- to 15-year contracts to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production. Participating landowners establish conservation practices that improve soil health, reduce erosion, enhance water quality, and provide wildlife habitat.