Issue Position: Agriculture Assistance
Issue Position
Lucas speaks to FFA students visiting Washington about the future of production agricultureEver since I arrived in Washington, I have been working to improve the future of agriculture in Oklahoma. I recognize the importance of the family farm to our state and to this nation. I served as a conferee on the 2002 Farm bill. I am proud of what we accomplished in that legislation. Additionally, I have worked to provide tax relief, less government regulation and promote fair trade in agriculture. I will continue to be a strong voice for production agriculture and work to ensure that farmers have the necessary resources to not only survive, but to thrive.
As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research, I have long been a champion of voluntary agriculture conservation programs. During the drafting of the 2002 Farm Bill, I worked to secure the largest ever increase in conservation spending. $36 billion was allocated to important programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Reserve Program, and many others. I helped created a new Grasslands Reserve Program, and of great importance to Oklahoma, the Farm Bill provided $275 million for the Small Watershed Rehabilitation program. These programs will help to ensure that farmers and ranchers can produce the food we need while protecting the water and soil for future generations of Oklahomans.
I've been proud to receive recognition from various agriculture groups for my work in support of their concerns. The American Farm Bureau Federation has presented me with its "Friend of Farm Bureau" award for supporting Farm Bureau issues in Congress. In both 2002 and 2003, the National Farmers Union recognized me with the "Presidential Award for Leadership" for issues important to rural America. In 2002 the Oklahoma Wheat Commission presented me with their "Staff of Life" award for voting in favor of wheat growers and farmers 100 percent of the time that year. And for the second year in a row, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association named me as one of only 11 "Wheat Champion" Members of Congress last year for superior action in Congress in support of the wheat industry.
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