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Representative McClain hears farmer priorities

A Michigan Congresswoman says a recent farm bill listening session helped provide insights into what matters most to farmers in her district.

“I would say all-encompassing is crop insurance.”

Lisa McClain, whose district includes the Thumb of Michigan, tells Brownfield farmers also aired their concerns about rising input costs and China buying farmland.

“That’s not so specific to our region per se, but that came up in the listening session—just to be on guard,” she says.

McClain is a co-sponsor of a bill that prohibits the Chinese government from buying ag land says the Next Generation Fuels Act is also extremely important.

“I think it’s important for diversification throughout the whole United States, I mean especially as we talk clean energy, green energy, and different alternative energy sources,” she affirms.

McClain is optimistic the current Congress can get the 2023 Farm Bill passed.

McClain says she wants to know what’s important to farmers in her district which is why she’s created an ag advisory council that meets regularly and includes farmers from each of the counties she represents along with a diverse mix of commodities.