Lincoln Meets with Fulton County Farm Bureau Leader

Fulton County Farm Bureau President, Howard Burris, of Salem, visiting Washington, DC, with Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation last week, had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to discuss issues of importance to Arkansas's agriculture community.

"As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, it's important for me to hear directly from Arkansas's agriculture producers. Together, we will write the policies that impact agriculture and the work that Arkansas farmers do each day. I was pleased to meet with these county leaders to discuss ways we can move forward to accomplish our shared goals," Lincoln said.

"We had a great trip to Washington, DC, with almost 100 Arkansas farm and ranch leaders participating. We were able to hear the most up-to-date information possible on a number of critical national issues. This information allows the leaders of Arkansas Farm Bureau to return home and make the best decisions possible for our members and the future of Arkansas agriculture," Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach said. "We'd like to thank Sen. Lincoln for the valuable time and attention she provided our leaders, and for the opportunity to meet with her in the Senate Ag Committee room in the Russell Senate Building. That was quite an experience."

Lincoln became the first Arkansan to serve as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee in September 2009. As Chairman, Lincoln is the Senate's leading voice on policy impacting farm and commodity programs, rural development, nutrition, conservation, renewable energy and other issues important to rural communities.

Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation county presidents and board leaders, all full or part time Arkansas farmers, were in Washington to learn about issues that affect their operations.