A Wisconsin Congressman says the new farm bill includes more than conservation, nutrition, and trade improvements.
Derrick Van Orden tells Brownfield there’s language to help local meat processors. “We’ve got the new mobile and expanded meat processing grants. So, there’s only four major processors in the entire country, and what we’re trying to do is disaggregate the meat processing capacity of the United States.”
Van Orden says there is also federal assistance to help new large-animal veterinarians pay for their education, and if passed, would not be limited by similar state-offered veterinary tuition assistance programs. “Interestingly enough, the answer is no, they will not be penalized for participating in other programs. This is not an offset, it is supplimentary, which is great. So, we have to get more vets out there if we’re going to maintain the ability to feed our own people.”
Van Orden says the farm bill language also includes farmer child care assistance. “A lot of people work outside jobs so that they can farm. We all know this to be true. The margins are so tight that people are working in town. They start in the morning on the farm, work in town, and then go back and finish up their chores for the day. Well, you can’t do that and watch your child at the same time. You’re going to need some assistance.”
House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn GT Thompson has scheduled the first mark-up session for the bill on March 3rd.
