Rep. Garthwaite & Obama Campaign Hold Listening Session of Farmers

The Obama ‘Tour for Change’ RV made a stop Tuesday morning at the Dale and Carol Hood farm on Stumptown road in rural Platteville. Although Barack Obama was not with the delegation, he was represented by his Policy Director, Peter Harrell. Mr. Harrell was accompanied by Obama volunteer Scott Laeser and others. Representative Phil Garthwaite who was also in attendance, and Mr. Harrell were interested in hearing local farmers’ concerns and how the administrations in both Madison and Washington might impact farming in general and Southwest Wisconsin in particular. After opening remarks by Mr. Harrell, in which he solicited comments and questions from those in attendance, Phil Garthwaite spoke briefly. Mr. Garthwaite pointed out that the concerns of farmers in Southwest Wisconsin are generally those of people across the country. The dominant issue concerning those in attendance seemed to be the prohibitive cost of health care. Other issues mentioned were: the futility of relying on corn based ethanol to “fix” the energy problem; a lack of real incentives to promote good erosion control while the U.S. Gov’t. does provide financial help to fix erosion damage caused by poor farming practices; and, the fact that hay is excluded from the commodities market. Mr. Harrell was busily taking notes to take back to the Obama headquarters. Prominent area farmers in attendance also included Mr. Richard Lang and Ms. Jackie Dieter, both of rural Platteville. Refreshments were served at this pleasant, mid-morning event.