Boozman Touts Farm Bill Certainty, Says ‘Busy’ Lame-duck Session Expected

A new five-year farm bill will provide some certainty for farmers facing possible uncertain times, Arkansas’ junior senator said Wednesday.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Rogers, visited Wynne, Tyronza, Dyess and Jonesboro Wednesday as part of an agricultural tour during the August congressional recess.

After visiting a sweet potato farm near Wynne, Boozman toured Whitton Farms near Tyronza and spoke with farmer Keith Forrester.

Forrester and his wife, Jill, have farmed on land in the Whitton area, near the Mississippi-Poinsett county line for 10 years. They grow everything from flowers to purple hull peas on land that has been in his family for many years. The couple also owns restaurants in Memphis and Tyronza.

“This is home to me,” Forrester said.

Forrester told the senator that while the bad weather earlier this year put a damper on some of the produce like watermelons, he and his wife work 12 months a year to get crops ready.

Forrester also told Boozman about a subscription service that the farm works on. The farm, at the beginning of the year, puts together a box of vegetables, like peas and greens, as well as bread for people to purchase. The project has been successful and helps to provide seed money for operating the farm, Forrester said.

Boozman and his staff worked through the gardens, seeing everything from squash and zucchini to poke sallet and tomatoes. Much of the produce grown at the farm is served at the restaurants, Forrester said.

Before the tour, Boozman ate lunch at one of the restaurants, Tyboogies, on Main Street in Tyronza.

“Those were some great tomato slices,” Boozman said after eating lunch.

The senator also visited the Johnny Cash boyhood home and Dyess colony building.

The Mississippi County town was created in the 1930s by the federal government to help displaced sharecroppers. Both places have displays, honoring Cash and the town.

Ruth Hawkins, an official with the Arkansas State University Heritage Program, told Boozman about the history of the Mississippi County town and the legendary musician’s role in it.

The boyhood home will be dedicated Saturday, with a concert Friday night at ASU featuring Reba McEntire and Loretta Lynn.

Hawkins said the project was helped by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas with support.

FARM BILL, LAME DUCK SESSION
After touring both places, Boozman spoke with Talk Business & Politics about the farm bill and other issues in the nation’s capital.

Boozman, who served on a House-Senate conference committee with Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, said there were many issues at work during the deliberation on the bill.

“My concern as well as the concern of the rest of our state’s delegation was that Southern agriculture get its share. It was not a Democrat or Republican issue,” Boozman said, noting there were overall discussions about other areas, like the Midwest. “We worked really hard to make sure (the bill was passed to include emphasis on Southern farming.)”

Farmers have been dealing with a piecemeal approach with the Farm Bill in recent years. Boozman said the five-year deal will help farmers with choices as well as providing a safety net.

On other issues, Congress returns to the nation’s capital in September for an abbreviated session before lawmakers head back to their states to campaign.

Boozman said he believes a key part of the session will involve passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government past Oct. 1 as well as work on an immigration bill.

He said he also anticipates a lame-duck session after the November election.

“I believe it will be busy,” Boozman said.