2nd District Congresswoman Jackie Walorski is looking for ways to enhance agricultural industries.
The South Bend Republican appeared in Plymouth yesterday as part of an agriculture tour. The congresswoman is visiting nearly a dozen businesses, farms, and venues in two days in an effort to learn more about the industry and perhaps garner sufficient information to influence policy.
Appearing at the third annual Marshall County Farm Bureau Luncheon, Walorski recounted an earlier story, saying it feels like farmers might be playing defense.
“When people talk about, you know: corporations are bad, or farmers bad and people aren’t taking care of the land, I said I can look them in the eye and I can tell them there’s a state that can be a model for the country, that understands how to be good stewards of the environment, and have a raging, burgeoning economy. And that’s the state of Indiana,” Walorski said to those in attendance. “And that’s because of what you do.”
The Congresswoman is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and also chairs the Subcommittee on Nutrition.
Addressing local farmers in attendance at the luncheon, Walorski used the opportunity to speak on issues ranging from EPA oversight and their definition of “navigable waters” to the Farm Bill and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).
Walorski says a national standard for interpreting a GMO is something that needs to happen.
“If you want additional information on the food that you eat, you know, there are companies right now that are volunteering to do that,” says Walorski. “Do we want 50 different interpretations of what is in food after it crosses all kinds of state lines?”
Walorski said she anticipates a conversation on GMO’s to take place around May.
Those in attendance had an opportunity to ask questions of the Congresswoman after her address.
Previewing future actions, the Congresswoman said reviewing USDA financials and keeping SNAP benefit reform bipartisan will be key.
