Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the Western Caucus Foundation hosted an Agriculture Summit and Field Tour in Fort Worth, Texas, with over a dozen Western Caucus Members, over 40 congressional staff, and numerous stakeholders.

“Western Caucus Members are proud to serve as a voice for rural America and honored to have the opportunity to travel across the United States to hear from these communities firsthand,” said Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04). “Last week, we put boots on the ground to listen to the stories of rural Americans in North Texas and discuss what policy changes Congress can make to reduce bureaucratic overreach and and ensure our farmers and ranchers have the tools necessary to continue their work. As we compile the 2023 Farm Bill, we will continue to seek input, listen, and lift up the voices of the communities we represent.”

Joining Chairman Newhouse in the Agriculture Summit and Field Tour were House Agriculture Committee Chair “GT” Thompson, Executive Vice Chair and Chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Vice Chairs Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Austin Scott (GA-08), Chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Jim Baird (IN-06), Chair of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Cliff Bentz (OR-2), Chair of the Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment David Rouzer (NC-07), and Reps. John Duarte (CA-13), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), and David Valadao (CA-22).

“It was a pleasure joining my Western Caucus colleagues in Fort Worth, Texas to continue hearing from farmers, ranchers, and producers about the challenges they face,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson. “We cannot write an effective Farm Bill without the voices of rural America, and it’s their feedback that will guide our priorities. I’d like to thank Chairman Newhouse for his leadership and all of those who contributed to this successful event.”

“As the Western Caucus Executive Vice Chair, it is necessary to hear from agriculture industry leaders throughout the nation to ensure we craft an extensive Farm Bill that is beneficial for all rural Americans,” said Executive Vice Chair Doug LaMalfa. “Thank you, Chairman Newhouse, for facilitating these critical discussions.”

"I was glad to participate in the Western Caucus' Agriculture Summit & Field Tour in Texas. As was reinforced throughout the trip, food security is national security and Congress needs to support agricultural production across the country,” said Vice Chair Michelle Fischbach. “The conversations we have in the field are critical to making legislation like the Farm Bill meaningful. Rural America faces similar issues and opportunities whether you're in Texas or Minnesota, and I look forward to bringing these lessons to Washington, D.C. as we continue work to write policies that work for farmers and ranchers."

“As we approach the upcoming Farm Bill, it’s important to understand the issues our farmers, ranchers, and producers across the nation are facing,” said Vice Chair Mariannette Miller-Meeks. “This trip allowed us to meet with leaders in the agriculture industry and talk about these issues, which range from regulatory burdens and energy restrictions to rising costs for feed and fertilizer. I’m eager to continue these discussions in Washington, and committed to working toward a Farm Bill that will protect our farmers and their livelihoods.”

“With the upcoming Farm Bill, it is imperative that we meet with farmers and stakeholders across the country to ensure that their voices are heard,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “Thank you to Chairman Newhouse for arranging these conversations in Texas so we can better address the challenges our farmers and ranchers face.”

“As we prepare for the 2023 Farm Bill, it’s essential to champion biotechnologies so our farmers have access to the best technology available and give industry experts the opportunity to share their ideas with policy makers,” said Rep. Jim Baird. “I’m honored to represent Hoosier farmers in the Western Caucus, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with this bipartisan, bicameral group of my colleagues to ensure we serve our farmers, ranchers, and producers to the best of our ability.”

“Thank you to Chairman Newhouse for a great trip to Fort Worth. Having grown up on a ranch in eastern Oregon, getting to amplify and discuss Western priorities is something that is deeply important to me,” said Rep. Cliff Bentz. “From the tour of Eden Green, to the discussion on all things water with RFD-TV, to the agriculture summit, the trip was a huge success. I look forward to many more of these trips and to continuing to work with my Western Caucus colleagues for the next two years!”

“It was an honor to join the Western Caucus Agriculture Summit and Field Tour in Fort Worth, Texas to highlight the importance of strengthening and improving farm programs in the 2023 Farm Bill,” said Rep. David Rouzer. “Last week’s summit reinforced our commitment to delivering a Farm Bill that works for all producers across the country. Doing so is critical for our economy and our farm families who work to ensure every American has access to the safest, most abundant food supply in the world.”

“Hearing from farmers and stakeholders firsthand and seeing the advances in technology has been a great insight to my first term,” said Rep. John Duarte. “I look forward to getting to work on this year's Farm Bill. Thank you, Western Caucus and Chairman Newhouse, for leading a very productive Ag Summit!”

“The agriculture summit in Fort Worth was incredibly important,” said Rep. Paul Gosar. “There is almost nothing more important than our food supply and Congress has an obligation to make certain American farmers continue to feed America and indeed much of the world with no burdensome obstructions from federal agencies.”

“Ensuring our Farm Bill is responsive to the needs of rural America and our domestic agricultural producers is one of my top priorities this year,” said Rep. David Valadao. “I enjoyed hearing from stakeholders in Fort Worth and learning about their cutting-edge agricultural technologies and research programs that play a vital role in advancing the American ag industry. Thank you to Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse for leading this productive and educational trip.”