VALLEY—Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced the next round of Farm Bill listening sessions with his staff, which will be held in April in the San Luis Valley and other areas of the state. Bennet is partnering with local producers and agricultural organizations to hold more than two dozen staff-led listening sessions across the state in advance of his work on the next Farm Bill.

Bennet, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, held similar meetings with farmers and ranchers that informed his work on the 2014 Farm Bill. The 2014 Farm Bill provided new resources to rural communities, cut red tape by streamlining dozens of programs, and reduced the deficit. The bill also included important initiatives to improve forest health, reduce the risk of wildfires, and strengthen conservation programs.

“The listening sessions we’ve held this month with staff and agricultural leaders have already provided helpful input to guide our priorities for the next Farm Bill,” Bennet said. “Colorado farmers and ranchers—from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope to the San Luis Valley—are welcome to come and help us build upon our previous work. Ideas from Coloradans are crucial to crafting legislation that will support our state’s agriculture and rural communities.”

The Farm Bill governs our national food and farm policy, including crop insurance, nutrition, and conservation, and is typically reauthorized every five years. Lawmakers in the House and Senate Agriculture committees are beginning to develop the next Farm Bill, before the current measure expires in late 2018.

The listening sessions will gather members of the agricultural community to meet with policy advisors and regional liaisons from Bennet’s staff.

Space is limited, so please RSVP with this link.
 
April 4
La Jara — 9-10:30 a.m.
Knights of Columbus Hall, 521 Spruce St., La Jara
 
Mosca — 1-2:30 p.m.
Valley Roots Food Hub, 5401 Terry St., Mosca
 
Monte Vista — 4-5:30 p.m.
Nino’s Restaurant, 118 Adams St., Monte Vista