Agriculture
Rep. Whitfield receives the 2011 Friend of the Farm Bureau award from Kentucky Farm Bureau Vice-President Eddie Melton.
Farm Economy
As the home of the majority of Kentucky’s family farming operations, the First District provides numerous incentives for farmers to expand and diversify their businesses. Agriculture is the lifeblood of the First District’s rural economy. However, as in years past when bad weather or commodity prices drop and affect family farm incomes, I will continue to be an advocate for agriculture by ensuring commodities have adequate safety nets and access to the newest technologies.
The biggest burden facing Kentucky farmers that needs to be corrected is stopping unelected agency staff in Washington, D.C. from pursuing efforts to regulate dust from farm equipment and requiring permits to spray crops. These actions could regulate family farms - which are some of the best environmental stewards – out of business. In addition, the H-2A program is again making farm labor difficult because of regulations that are driving up wage rates and making the program difficult to use.
These efforts, combined with the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, are giving farmers a great deal of concern. As Chairman of the Energy and Power Subcommittee, I am working to review and stop regulations from being implemented that harm farmers’ ability to grow and succeed.
Awards
As a result of my continued efforts in Congress on behalf of Kentucky farmers, I am humbled to have been recognized with several awards from agriculture groups including the Kentucky Farm Bureau Friend of the Farmer Award – an award I have received every year since he has been elected to Congress.
More on Agriculture
WASHINGTON, DC – On August 7, 2014, 59 Members of the United States House of Representatives led by Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY-01), the lead sponsors of the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (PAST), H.R.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Congressman Ed Whitfield’s Public Schedule for Thursday, August 21st
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, will travel to Louisville and Eddyville. Schedule details are listed below.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
7:30-9:30AM, EST: LOUISVILLE: Attend the Kentucky Farm Bureau 49th Annual Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair
In April of 2013, Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Jim Moran (D-VA) joined me in introducing legislation in the United States House of Representatives known as the Prevent All Soring Tactics or “PAST” Act, H.R. 1518. The legislation is designed to end the horrific practice of “soring” Tennessee Walking, Racking, and Spotted Saddle horses.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, met in his Washington office today with representatives of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association to discuss farm bill implementation, the EPA’s proposed rule on ethanol, his work on the recent passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) and his support in introducing the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2014.
SHELBYVILLE, TN – Late yesterday, the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC) selected its judging panel for the 2014 August event.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Marty Irby (Whitfield): (202) 225-3115
Ben Garmisa (Cohen): (202) 225-3265
Lee Whack (Schakowsky): (202) 225-2111
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, met with Bill Samuels, Jr. in his Capitol Hill office Monday. Samuels, Chairman Emeritus of Makers’ Mark, was in town to receive the American Beverage Licensees (ABL) Top Shelf Award.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, is pleased to announce passage in the House of Representatives of the House and Senate conference agreement for the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) by a vote of 412 to 4. WRRDA is a fiscally responsible, long-term bill that authorizes all federal water related projects and policies while making much needed reforms across the entire system.
PADUCAH, KY –Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power, is pleased to recognize the importance of the maritime and waterways industries in Kentucky. According to a study recently released by the American Maritime Partnership, Kentucky now ranks fifth in the nation in waterways, with over 13,000 jobs in the industry and an economic impact of over the $2.7 billion annually. According to the study, more than 43.8 million tons of cargo, including coal, lignite, and coal coke, travel through Kentucky waterways each year, traveling to
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, joined with Representatives Mike Pompeo (KS-04), and G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) in introducing legislation, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, to establish a federal standard for labeling of food products made with genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).