Agriculture and the Farm Bill are the Focus of the West Texas Legislative Summit

SAN ANGELO, TX – Agriculture is a vital part of the West Texas economy and culture and will be the focus of the West Texas Legislative Summit at Angelo State University Monday and Tuesday. 

Lawmakers from Austin and Washington will join state Senator Charles Perry and state Representative Drew Darby and Congressman Michael Conaway to discuss the 2018 Farm Bill. 

According to the Chamber of Commerce, the current farm bill known as the Agriculture Act of 2014 is set to expire next year and will require action by Congress to continue existing programs. 

The farm bill provides an estimated $489 billion in federal funding for crop insurance, nutrition, conservation, and trade programs. 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the food stamp program, will be a hot topic.  Reductions to farm commodity payments and crop insurance trade policies will be discussed as well.  President Donald Trump’s budget proposal includes a 21 percent cut in discretionary spending for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Conaway is chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. 

The Summit brings together industry experts, legislators, and business leaders and elected officials from across West Texas to common interests and concerns according to the chamber. 

There is a reception and dinner at Ft. Concho’s Historic Stables Monday night at 6:30 pm.  The Summit runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the C.J. Davidson Conference Center at Angelo State University. 

For more information or to register, call the chamber at 325-655-4136.