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Daniel Alters
Bellefonte
Pennsylvania has long been a farming state, and my family has a rich history of farming right here in Centre County. I'm very concerned about the availability of nutritious food--and the health and viability of the farms on which it's produced.
I recently reviewed new farm legislation with absolute dismay. Our elected officials fail to deliver on their promises. Originally intended to assist farmers, support healthy food choices, and benefit families and children with limited incomes, the 2024 Farm Bill (H.R. 8467), sponsored by Republican Congressman Glenn Thompson (PA-15), misses the mark by a country mile and has no chance of passing in the Senate!
The bill, which expires on September 30th, has few advocates within the small farm community--or even among fiscal conservatives. The current House version is flawed and biased and provides very little to Pennsylvania farmers. It would decrease funds for much-need agricultural conservation projects, recalculate food benefits programs, mostly in the way of cuts to SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program), increase farm subsidies, primarily to corporate farms and to commodity groups such as huge wheat and corn growers, which don't exist in Pennsylvania!
PA's 15th District needs leadership in Congress that understands the needs of our farmers and resists the lobbying efforts of corporate farms and commodity groups. Zach Womer is a brilliant, dedicated 12th-generation Pennsylvanian who will represent you and your family, not the greedy corporations that wield far too much power.