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American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman talked with the media and Hardin County Farm Bureau members about the drought, disaster assistance, the 2002 Farm Bill, enacting an energy bill and international trade.

In a press conference in Kenton, Stallman said the drought has had and will continue to have a significant impact on farmers of livestock and crops. Stallman predicts the Bush administration will issue weather disaster assistance, saying the Farm Bill is not designed to handle emergency spending. Ohio Farm Bureau President Terry McClure and Hardin County Farm Bureau President Kerry Oberlitner shared the drought survey collected at Leadership Conference accompanied by a detailed poster to show the damage in Ohio. (See related story on page 1.)

As the keynote speaker at the Hardin County Farm Bureau annual meeting, Stallman called the passage of the Farm Bill a success. He said there may be a few bumps in the road along the way, but he is confident it is the best farm program farmers have had yet. Working to counter the myths about the bill will be a challenge for AFBF and OFBF to tackle.

“Hardin County Farm Bureau was fortunate to have Stallman attend the annual meeting. He only gets to about three county meetings a year, so for him to come to Ohio and Hardin County is a great thing,” said Vera Miller, organization director for Hardin, Logan and Union counties. Stallman urged members to contact their local legislators about enacting an energy bill. An energy bill would be good for soybean and corn producers and would also lessen dependence on foreign oil.

“Ethanol from corn and biodiesel from soybeans are two that can step right in and cut down our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. In the process, farmers will get about 30 cents a bushel more for their corn and a similar increase for their beans,” Stallman said. “Today, 60 percent of our fuel supply is imported.”

Stallman said he was very happy to see that Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) passed. The passage of TPA will work toward leveling the playing field for U.S. farmers. Stallman believes U.S. trade negotiators now will be taken more seriously by their foreign counterparts who know that any deal they come up with can only be accepted or rejected by Congress – no tinkering with amendments.

“Farm Bureau is people – people working together for positive results. Our efforts to secure disaster assistance, to bolster national security through biofuel production, to maintain a strong farm program, to expand trade, or to accomplish any other of our other policy goals will succeed only with your help and guidance,” Stallman said.

More of President Stallman’s remarks can be read on page 4.