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Roberts, Stabenow Announce Witnesses for Michigan Farm Bill Field Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today announced witnesses for the Committee’s second field hearing of the 115th Congress in Frankenmuth, Mich., on the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill reauthorization.

The hearing will feature testimony from the witnesses below examining agriculture, as well as conservation, rural economic development, research, forestry, energy, and nutrition policies.

Title:     Growing Jobs and Economic Opportunity: Perspectives on the 2018 Farm Bill from Michigan

Date:     Saturday, May 6, 2017 

Time:    10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT 

Place:    Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center - Michigan State University, 3775 S Reese Rd., Frankenmuth, Mich.

Who:    Welcome Panel:

Ronald Hendrick; Dean, Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; East Lansing, Mich.

 

Panel 1

Janna Fritz; JDF Farms, LLC; Bad Axe, Mich.; Corn, Dry Bean, Soybean, and Wheat Farmer; Board Member, Michigan Corn Growers

Chris Alpers; RedPath Orchards and Alpers Farms; Lake Leelanau, Mich.; Apple and Cherry Grower; Board Member, U.S. Apple Association

Rick Gerstenberger; Gerstenberger Farms Inc.; Snover, Mich.; Sugarbeet, Alfalfa, Corn, Dry Bean, Soybean, and Wheat Farmer; Chairman of the Board, Michigan Sugar Company

Darrin Siemen; Prime Land Farm; Harbor Beach, Mich.; Dairy, Beef Cattle, Corn, Sugarbeet and Wheat Farmer; Michigan Milk Producers Association

Andy Snider; Snider Farms, LLC; Hart, Mich.; Turkey, Hog, Corn and Soybean Farmer; Michigan Turkey Producers

David Williams; W Farms, LLC; Elsie, Mich.; Soybean, Corn and Wheat Farmer; President, Michigan Soybean Association

Adam Ingrao; Bee Wise Farms; Lansing, Mich.; Beekeeper; Founder, Michigan Farmer Veteran Coalition

Pam Bouma Miller; Hopyards of Kent; Greenville, Mich.; Hop Growers of Michigan

 

Panel 2

Oran Hesterman; President & CEO, Fair Food Network; Ann Arbor, Mich.

Faith Watson; Montcalm County SNAP Recipient; Greenville, Mich.

Jim Nugent; Fruit Grower; Chairman, Michigan Tree Fruit Commission; Suttons Bay, Mich.

Kyle Rorah; Great Lakes & Atlantic Region Policy Specialist, Ducks Unlimited;

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Jerry Ann Hebron; Urban Farmer; Executive Director, Northend Christian CDC; Detroit, Mich.

Collin Thompson; Manager, Michigan State University, USDA Organic Certified North Farm; Chatham, Mich.

Kristen Matson; Inventory & Planning Specialist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division; Shingleton, Mich.

Bob Hance; President & CEO, Midwest Energy Cooperative; Cassopolis, Mich.

 

To attend the hearing, email your name and organization to MIRSVP@ag.senate.gov. Anyone wishing to submit comments, please do so by May 12, 2017. Comments may be submitted clicking here or by mailing it to the Committee on Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry, 328A Russell Senate Office Bldg, Washington, D.C. 20510. The hearing will be webcast live on ag.senate.gov.

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