TIFTON, GA – On Saturday, June 24, 2017, Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) joined House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and nine other Members in hosting a farm bill listening session at the University of Florida in Gainesville that farmers and ranchers from across the Southeast were invited to attend. This was the first of several planned listening sessions by the Committee.

“As our nation’s primary agriculture and food policy tool, a comprehensive farm bill is essential to keeping the industry and our economy moving and producing for the American people,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “This past weekend’s event proved a valuable time to hear from producers across the Southeast who’ve been directly impacted by previous farm bills and will be directly impacted by the next. I appreciation the thoughtful conversation from the event, and I look forward to continuing these discussions as we work towards crafting the next farm bill.”

A wide variety of issues impacting agricultural production, research, and conservation were discussed during the listening session. Prior to the event, the group also had the opportunity to tour the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) including the Honeybee Research and Extension Lab and the Southern Pine Forestry Research Project (PINEMAP). Click here to watch the full listening session.

In addition to Rep. Austin Scott, Members of Congress attending the listening session included Ag Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11), Rep. Ted Yoho (FL-03), Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02), Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01), Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-5), Rep. Roger Marshall (KS-01), Rep. Stacey Plaskett (VI-At Large), and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-20). 

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Rep. Austin Scott speaks during the House Agriculture Committee’s farm bill listening session at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

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Members hear concerns of ranchers and farmers from across the Southeast.

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Rep. Austin Scott and Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-05) sample honey at the University of Florida’s IFAS Honeybee Research and Extension Lab.   

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