CASPER — U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both (R-Wyo.), recently hosted a Wyoming Farm Bill Priorities Roundtable with Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the top Republican on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Boozman is one of the primary authors of the upcoming Farm Bill.

The senators were joined by members of the Wyoming State Legislature and more than 30 representatives of Wyoming’s agriculture industry to discuss the Farm Bill and the impacts it will have on Wyoming. 

“Wyoming agriculture is at the heart of our communities and is a critical part of our state’s economy,” said Barrasso. “As Congress debates the new Farm Bill, I wanted to bring one of the key authors of the bill, Sen. Boozman, to Wyoming so he could hear directly from the people who provide food and fiber to our nation. I look forward to continuing my work with Sens. Lummis and Boozman and agriculture groups across the state to ensure Wyoming’s priorities are front and center.”  

Lummis added, “The Farm Bill is critically important for Wyoming ranchers, and I was thrilled to host Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman in Casper so he could see firsthand the unique needs Wyoming producer. Sen. Barrasso and I are committed to ensuring Wyoming is well represented in the Farm Bill and will continue to work with Sen. Boozman to ensure Wyoming priorities are not forgotten.”

 The groups attending included: Wyoming Stock Growers, Wyoming Wool Growers, Wyoming Farm Bureau, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming State Forestry, Wyoming Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, the University of Wyoming, Rural Housing and Economic Development, Farm Service Agency, Wyoming Wheat Growers, Sugar Beet Growers, the Wyoming Chapter of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Torrington Livestock Auction, Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems, Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust, Wyoming Food Bank, Jones Land Surveying, Inc., and the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

“It is important to get out of Washington and visit with stakeholders as we move forward with the Farm Bill process. I appreciate the invitation from Sens. Barrasso and Lummis to join them in Wyoming to hear from their farmers and ranchers who utilize vital Farm Bill programs,” said Boozman. “We had a very informative roundtable and an excellent site visit that gave us a great deal to consider as we move forward with writing the next Farm Bill.”

Following the roundtable discussion, Boozman participated in a tour of Miles Land and Livestock just outside of Casper. Miles Land and Livestock owners, Chad and Jamie Harkins, showed Boozman their cattle operation and highlighted some of the conservation projects they’ve installed throughout their ranch.