Kansas Farm Bureau members voice their opinions on farm bill, trade and broadband expansion during DC trip March 19-21

More than 100 Kansas Farm Bureau members hit Washington March 19 to 21 to learn more about the Capitol’s inner workings and to get their voices heard about issues affecting them.

They met with all five of the state’s congressional leaders. Some delegates relayed personal stories that included weighing in on the upcoming crafting of the next farm bill.

“I think the most important thing for most of our farms is the crop insurance,” Johnson County farmer Randy Hutchins told Rep. Ron Estes, R-KS, during a meeting in his office March 20. “That is the safety net when we consider our family income. That is what is important to us.”

Farmers also discussed tax laws, immigration and food aid programs with congressional leaders. On March 19, they visited the Mexican Embassy to learn more about the impact of trade agreements.

Kansas Farm Bureau President Rich Felts said over half of the delegation had never been to Washington before on a lobbying trip. The LEADs event allows members to see policymaking in progress.

"I think it is a great opportunity for our members," Felts, who farms in Montgomery County, said, adding it allows farmers to "get in the weeds of the issues, whether it is tax reform or immigration or the farm bill."

Caleb Mattix, a rancher from Colby, Kansas, said it was his first time on the annual KFB LEADS trip. The last time he was in Washington was in high school.

“It seems like it might be more work to be a congressman than I thought,” Mattix said. “But they are definitely on board with Farm Bureau, and it seems like Farm Bureau has a strong voice and strong side with our legislators and that is comforting to know.

Regarding the farm bill, he said it seemed promising. His biggest concerns are on trade and immigration “but it sounds like those are the big slow down issues right now.”

“It doesn’t sound that critical, but it is just a matter of everyone making a compromise,” he said. “They keep talking about getting a better deal, so I suppose they know what they are talking about there. But maybe the United States needs to give a little, too.”

Mattix added there are benefits for Kansas by being able to move grain into the world market without a lot of hindrances.   

“I realize there is a big surplus already but, you know, just the games they play on trade wars seems like we’d be the loser on that if it comes down to it.”

David McCollum, Minneola, who brought his high school son, Calder, on the trip, said he was impressed how hard Kansas lawmakers are working to promote the farm agenda.

“In terms of the farm economy and agriculture in general, those guys have their eye on the ball when it comes to that stuff,” McCollum, an agricultural instructor at Dodge City Community College, said.

“Those guys are pretty pro-trade and understand how important it is to commodity markets, and they want to see us continue to develop those markets rather than have anything that might slow it down or impede markets. They are concerned about a trade war obviously, and they want to make sure we can keep our markets open.”

Other talk included expansion of rural broadband. Jackie Mundt told Ajit Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, about how she and her significant other’s farmhouse in rural Pratt County is in a gray area in terms of internet connection. She runs a consulting business from the farm and must use her cellphone as a hotspot.

The trip was rewarding, Mundt said.

“I love traveling to Washington, D.C., especially with first-time visitors because the city provides such a great opportunity to see our government up close and learn about how the process works,” she said. “It’s really exciting that Kansas Farm Bureau has such a large group of members who are willing to invest the time and effort to go to DC and talk about important issues facing farms and rural communities. This type of visit can break down the barriers of uncertainty and get people involved in advocacy in the future.”

Amy Bickel can be reached at [email protected] or 620-860-9433.