Washington, DC, November 16, 2007 —Ralph Grossi, president of American Farmland Trust, participated in a press conference with Senators Tom Harkin, Debbie Stabenow, Sherrod Brown, Ken Salazar and Amy Klobuchar along with Tom Buis, National Farmers Union and James Weill, Food Action Research Center. The press conference took place today in the Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol and focused on the Senate Farm Bill. Grossi’s statement is below.

“We need a new Farm Bill but time is running out. This is not, should not be a partisan issue. Both Republicans and Democrats want a new Farm Bill. The Senate Farm Bill was voted out of the Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously with eleven Democrats and ten Republicans supporting it.

I am speaking on behalf of farmers and ranchers, who are Republicans and Democrats and fiercely independent. They want to improve the environment, they are the stewards of the land, but they are turned away because our conservation programs don’t have enough funding. For these farmers and ranchers, for fruit and vegetable growers, for consumers shopping at farmers markets, and many others—extension of the existing Farm Bill is not an option. Extension would be like driving into the future of U.S. agriculture policy while looking in the rearview mirror. Extension means missed opportunities to protect working farms and ranches, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. Extension means programs that protect wetlands and grasslands will be eliminated. Extension means more farmers and ranchers who want to help the environment will be turned away…and already two out of three are denied assistance.

The Senate Farm Bill contains significant improvements.  The bipartisan bill: proposes a better safety net; expands opportunities for farmers and ranchers to improve the environment; provides healthier choices for consumers – especially the less fortunate in our society; and advances renewable fuels – especially cellulosic technology.

We all are in favor of debating amendments to improve the bill and there are lots of them. But let's keepthem focused on the Farm Bill. Let's get the Farm Bill to the floor so we can debate it and amend it. The voters of this nation are watching and won't forget what is or is not done in the next few weeks.”

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Visit American Farmland Trust’s Farm and Food Policy Campaign Web site for more information on how we’re working to strengthen the future of American agriculture and
ensure fresh, healthy, local food for generations to come.