Odom, Farmers Meet With U.S. House Ag Committee Leader
January 10, 2006

Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Bob Odom and about 50 farmers and representatives from Louisiana agriculture and forestry met in Baton Rouge yesterday with U.S. Representative Collin Peterson of Minnesota. Peterson is the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.

“After hearing about the destruction from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Congressman Peterson wanted to visit the area and hear firsthand from Gulf Coast farmers about their needs,” Odom said. “Congressman Charlie Melancon and I brought together industry leaders and producers from all sectors of agriculture and forestry and they outlined what happened to them personally and what they need in order to remain in business.”

The overwhelming message delivered to Peterson: Don’t forget us. Louisiana agriculture and forestry was dealt a crushing blow from the hurricanes and needs federal assistance.

Over and over again, producers stood up and said they need a direct payment in order to remain in business.

“Low-interest loans and other mechanisms won’t work in this situation. These people need disaster payments based on their losses,” Odom said. “It seems as though many in Washington have forgotten the people outside of New Orleans, so we used this opportunity to remind the Congressman that rural Louisiana was affected too.”

Peterson listened to each person tell his or her own hurricane story during the two-and-a-half hour meeting. Having seen farmers in his district suffer through devastating floods in 1997, Peterson offered a sympathetic ear and called for more action in the nation’s capital.

“I am here to support Commissioner Odom and Congressman Charlie Melancon because I view them as leaders in U.S. agriculture,” Peterson said following the meeting. “After listening to the people here today, I am doubly committed to doing something to help.”

Odom said he plans to continue his quest to obtain federal assistance for Louisiana agriculture and forestry.

“I’ll meet with as many people as it takes to get the job done. They cannot overlook us. These are the people who feed and clothe this nation and the world. They cannot be forgotten,” Odom said.”