IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077
(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 2, 2010 – Third congressional candidate Ed Martin recognizes the many agricultural issues facing Missourians especially in the 3rd district. For this reason, he is officially creating Third Congressional District Agricultural Advisory Group.
While most Missouri farmers, agri-businessmen and women, and small business owners in related agricultural fields are keeping their heads down and working hard, the legislative proposals and regulations of the Obama administration are dominating their concerns for the future. In particular, the so-called Cap-and-Trade bill, for which Congressman Russ Carnahan gave his stamp of approval, is at the top of their concerns list. The Missouri Farm Bureau, among many others, is a vocal critic of this government’s activism saying, “The negative implications are very strong for agriculture.” (Hannibal Courier-Post, April 27, 2010) ”More than ever before, farmers and ranchers are literally fearful of what the federal government is planning to do in terms of cap and trade, the Clean Water Restoration Act, possible government run federal health care and spending that is out of control,” said Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau President. (Missouri Ruralist, Dec 14, 2009)
Ed Martin is taking a stand for Missouri agriculture. He strongly opposes cap-and-trade and understands the detrimental affects it would have on family farms and small businesses – the backbone of our country. Missouri ranks 2nd in the United States in the number of farms with 105,000 farms according to the 2002 and 2007 Census of Agriculture. A 2009 report by the Missouri General Assembly highlights that agriculture adds more than $12.4 billion annually to the Show-Me State economy and employs more than 245,000 people in our state. This is why Ed Martin has created the Agricultural Advisory Group (AAG.)
AAG will hold a number of roundtables in order to address all of the federal issues piling up on the plate of local farmers. The Group will work with agricultural businesses and family farms in the 3rd district to brainstorm real solutions. “I need to be informed and hear their concerns in order to truly represent them in Washington,” said 3rd district congressional candidate Ed Martin
“Big government with its out-of-control spending habit is not an entity we look up to. Missouri farmers are struggling and we need someone to hear us – someone who won’t cave to big business but will look out for the best interest for all of us. We farmers need to be heard and I am thrilled Ed Martin has created this Agricultural Advisory Group and extremely honored to have been asked to be the co-chairman,” said Marty Strussion, owner of Cave Vineyard in Ste. Genevieve.
Members of AAG include David Reed as chairman, Marty Strussion as co-chairman, and Katie Smith as honorary chairman. Click on this hyperlink for a brief list of their relative work experience.
Congressman Carnahan wants to make it appear he is focused on agricultural issues too. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be in St. Louis fundraising for Carnahan this week.The Congressman can’t pull the wool over the eyes of Missouri farmers though – they knowCarnahan is out-of-touch with farmers – aside from farmers like his brother whose windmill farm would benefit from cap-and-trade.
For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.
Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)
theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com
