08-07-12 US Senator Bennet Attends Yuma County Fair Junior Livestock Sale...

US Senator Michael Bennet (CO)

Stop Part of Eastern Plains Tour Focused on Growing Jobs, Addressing Drought Conditions in Colorado’s Rural Communities 

Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet stopped by the Yuma County Fair Junior Livestock Sale. The visit is part of a two-day swing through Colorado’s Eastern Plains that will highlight the need to create jobs, support family farmers and ranchers, and boost economic development in Colorado’s rural communities.

“We need to make sure we are fully supporting young people interested in farming and ranching like those here today at the junior livestock sale,” Bennet said. “This is too important for Colorado’s economy and way of life. That is why Congress needs to pass a long-term Farm Bill, which includes support for beginning farmers and ranchers.”

Last month, Bennet spoke on the Senate floor to urge the House to take up and pass a full five-year reauthorization of the Farm Bill. He also sent a letter to House leadership, along with Senator Mark Udall, urging passage the bill, which includes vital resources to assist farmers and ranchers suffering from the drought.

The Senate passed a five-year Farm Bill extension, which includes programs to help farmers, ranchers and rural communities cope with drought, such as livestock disaster programs, that are paid for as part of a bipartisan agreement.  The bill includes $23 million in deficit reduction along with reforms to eliminate direct payments and to strengthen crop insurance programs.  The Farm Bill also includes a strong conservation title that Coloradans worked closely with Bennet, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources, to preserve. The Senate is waiting on the House of Representatives to pass a bill that can be reconciled with the Senate bill.

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