Today is the half way point of this trip to Washington. I was able to meet with staffers from all three Vermont offices. Senator Sanders, then Congressman Welch and ending with Senator Leahy.
This is my first trip with the American Sheep Industry. The ASI has several different committees made up of members that are producers in almost all of the states. I am Vermont’s member and was elected to be on the legislative committee that lobbies for national policy important to sheep and goat producers.
This year it is the farm bill. A bunch of us have come to Washington to meet with the elected officials to push certain parts of it. We were given a ton of reading and were to pick a couple of parts that make the most impact for our state. I was able to schedule all three for today.
Bernie Sander’s office was the fastest to respond to my request and gave directions to the office.
Peter Welch’s office had the best Vermont products dispaly. (Bernie had inherited Jim Jefford’s Woody Jackson Cow, a life size wooden holstein. Would have been much better if it was a merino. I will send him a merino picture)
Patrick Leahy’s office didn’t give me a response until yesterday, but I didn’t want to pay 9.99 for internet. So waited until this morning to check my mail and was able to get scheduled today. I felt snubbed at first. But the staffer was very friendly and I think was the best versed on the topic. She knew her Vermont farm scene.
The high point of the day was getting to sit in on a congressional news conference held by the Comment Committee. There were 8 members of the House and the Senate, that reviewed the farm bill, worked out the kinks and came to an agreement. Now the bill will go to both the House and the Senate for a full vote.
The President will most likely Veto it but hopefully it will have enough push to over ride a veto.
I was in the right place at right time. When the President of the Board, the Executive Director and the paid lobbyist were ready to leave for the press conference, I asked if I could go. Next thing I know, there were a couple of producers sitting behind the legislators, in front of the media.
Really cool. I thought I would be standing behind the press watching from the back.
Here is the really neat thing. The farm bill is a 300 Billion dollar behemoth piece of legislation. It was due to be passed in March. A big black cloud. You would think BIG agriculture would be there for the announcement. You know, the biggies…sugar, rice, corn, beef. But no. There were about 30 folks in the back, and 8 of us were actual farmers, and shepherds to boot. 5 or six more were with the sheep industry.
I don’t know how much of an impact my coming to Washington will have. I didn’t get to meet with my legislators, they were much too busy. That is why they have staffers. But I do know that seeing and being and active participant in our democratic process is a great thing.
It has been too busy today to stop and take pictures. Tomorrow we meet at the USDA and then have the afternoon off. I am planning to go to the Smithsonian with two other shepherds and head home Saturday. I don’t like the noise of the city at night. I miss the quiet and my sheep.
