House Ag Chairman Thompson Visits Effingham County

(HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN G.T. THOMPSON AND LOCAL CONGRESSMAN MIKE BOST)

US House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson was in Effingham County Wednesday as the guest of local Congressman Mike Bost. 

What Thompson and Bost termed a "listening session" was held at Wachtel Farms along Moccasin Road. 

Most items shared by producers dealt with programs that need to remain or to be included in the next Farm Bill. The current Farm Bill expires on September 30, although some programs will continue through the harvest season or through calendar year 2023. 

Some items dealt with wording changes. There were concerns voiced over energy issues, which Thompson said generally fall under the purview of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Thompson, though, said, if the issues concerns farms they will make those concerns known.

Local producer Philip Hartke spoke against wind energy, asking who will deal with the spent windmills once they're past their useful life. Thompson and Bost agreed that the windmlls shouldn't be placed on farmground. 

The media had a few minutes following the listening session to speak with Thompson. The questioning was led by DeLoss Jahnke of RFD Illinois. Here's their conversation...