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Latham campaign: Trusted leadership in agriculture issues
10/21/2008

AGRICULTURE

Key Agriculture Legislation Supported by Congressman Latham in the 110th Congress:

H.R. 2419, The Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007 - Congressman Latham supported the Farm Bill extension because it continues the safety net and conservation elements that are so important to Iowa agriculture. In addition, the bill contains payment limitations and was crafted with more thought and deliberation than the previous law, which Latham voted against.

Latham has been a champion for Land Grant universities by protecting Hatch Act funding from drastic cuts. The Land Grant system is critically important to rural America and Latham is committed to promoting and protecting its future.
Congressman Latham led a bi-partisan campaign to ensure that the Regional Environmental and Agriculture Programming Model (REAP) received adequate funding in the 1997 Farm Bill. REAP helps farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses produce clean energy, curb energy costs and boost economic development.

Latham led a bipartisan effort, by members who do not sit on the Agriculture Committee, in recommending the inclusion of guaranteed funding for agriculture research in the Farm Bill in order to maintain the vitality and growth of U.S. agriculture.

Trade - Free trade is critically important to Iowa farmers. As such, Congressman Latham supported and promoted free trade deals that would benefit Iowa's economy by creating new markets for Iowa products. Advised the USDA and House Agriculture committees on U.S. farm policy and how it must be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace. Congressmen Latham has long supported programs, like Agribility, that are aimed at assisting physically disadvantaged farmers continue to farm.

Key Agriculture Funding Initiatives Secured by Congressman Latham:

· Agra-bility - obtained funding over last few years for this program that helps disabled farmers succeed in their farming operations
· Obtained funding for the Food Chain Economic Analysis, a program that assesses the technical and economic feasibility of food tracing systems for value-added food products.
· National Animal Disease Center-led the effort to construct this new Center, at a cost of $460M over 4 years when the project was floundering because of inaction.
· Obtained funding over several years for the Northeast Iowa Dairy Education Initiative, which entails education and applied research activities in conjunction with state dairy farmers.
· For two years in a row, obtained funding for the National Veterinary Medical Service Act. The funds allow for a veterinary education loan repayment program.
· Over 3 years, obtained funding to capitalize a low-cost loan program for individually-owned water well construction and renovation for low-income individuals.
· Certified Environmental Management Systems for Agriculture (CEMSA) - obtained funding on behalf of Iowa Soybean Association for this program that helps farmers implement better environmental management plans in the area of fertilizers, pest control and soil management.
· Advanced Live, Virtual & Constructive Training Systems - Obtained funding for this virtual reality training initiative to help modernize US military training for the future.
· New Vaccines to Fight Respiratory Infection - Obtained funding for this vaccine research program aimed at diseases that can be used in agro-terrorism. The project studies and bio-genetics and other science areas that can be used to create the vaccines.
· Renewable Energy for America Program - led fight to increase this grant program which is the most significant renewable energy program for farmers and rural small businesses within the USDA funding structure. Overall, and in addition to the above-Agriculture items, Congressman Latham has secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in agriculture research money that has benefited Iowa State University and all Iowa farmers.

Agriculture based endorsements of Tom Latham: · Iowa Corn Grower's Association - Endorsement for re-election
· Iowa Farm Bureau "Friend of Agriculture"


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