Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077 All Other Campaign Inquiries: (314) 256-1776

Agricultural Advisory Group Update

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) October 22, 2010 – The Agricultural Advisory Group (AAG) is holding its harvest meeting Friday, October, 22nd. Congressional candidate Ed Martin created the AAG back in June because he recognizes the many [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077
All Other Campaign Inquiries: (314) 256-1776

Agricultural Advisory Group Update

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) October 22, 2010 – The Agricultural Advisory Group (AAG) is holding its harvest meeting Friday, October, 22nd. Congressional candidate Ed Martin created the AAG back in June because he recognizes the many agricultural issues facing Missourians especially in the 3^rd district. Ed Martin and AAG have held a number of roundtables and went on a 3^rd district agriculture tour in order to address all of the federal issues piling up on the plate of local farmers. They also continues to work with agricultural businesses and family farms in the 3^rd district to brainstorm real solutions. Friday’s meeting will be a harvest update held at the Hillsboro Farm Bureau.

“I need to be informed and hear their concerns in order to truly represent them in Washington,” said 3^rd district congressional candidate Ed Martin

The Missouri Farm Bureau endorsed Ed Martin this year –it endorsed Congressman Carnahan in 2008.

When: Friday, October 22, 2010   12pm-1pm

Where: Hillsboro Farm Bureau  10620 Business 21

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

Ed Martin Launches Grassroots Program to Grow Jobs

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) September 1, 2010 – Ed Martin continues to help spawn jobs in Missouri’s 3rd district. On the heels of earning the Missouri Farm Bureau’s endorsement; he is growing his Shop [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077
All Other Campaign Inquiries: (314) 256-1776

Ed Martin Launches Grassroots Program to Grow Jobs

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) September 1, 2010 – Ed Martin continues to help spawn jobs in Missouri’s 3^rd district. On the heels of earning the Missouri Farm Bureau’s endorsement; he is growing his Shop Local-Hire Local grassroots program to include area farmers and agricultural businesses. Today Ed Martin will be visiting with local farmers and small businesses at the Maplewood Farmers’ Market at 4pm.

Ed Martin’s action plan for jobs, Shop Local-Hire Local, was created back in June after holding a number of roundtables with small business leaders and some 150 “Ask Ed Anything” meetings. Business owners and leaders continue to tell Ed Martin the so called “tax breaks” and “incentives” being offered to them are not being received and are not smartly targeted; they simply need customers. More customers will lead to the need for more employees. Shop Local-Hire Local focuses on publicly encouraging all Missourians to look to local businesses and local workers first.

With agriculture being a major driver of the state and regional economy it makes good business sense to promote Shop Local-Hire Local.  The sale of agriculture products contributed $37 million to the economy of Missouri’s 3^rd District in 2007. A 2009 report by the Missouri General Assembly highlights that agriculture adds more than $12.4 billionannually to the Show-Me State economy and employs more than 245,000 people in our state.

Ed Martin’s tireless outreach to farmers and businesses is just one of the many reasons why he earned the Missouri Farm Bureau’s endorsement. It was an honor bestowed on Congressman Carnahan in 2008 but Carnahan has not bothered to be engaged with farmers since then. Despite Congressman Carnahan, in a last ditch desperate attempt, trying to tout he’s working on legislation to try and create jobs; his constituents can’t be fooled. Congressman Carnahan voted in favor of the Cap and Trade bill – the very thing most small businesses and farmers all agree would be the most devastating to them. He is in essence working against them – not for them. And no one is soon to forget that he also gave his rubber stamp approval to the Auto Bailout which did nothing more than close the Chrysler plant in Fenton, put thousands out of work, and ship the jobs to Mexico and Canada. Congressman Carnahan has turned his back on the very people he is supposed to represent.

“In order to create jobs you have to be willing to work hard yourself. This is why I am actively engaging in open dialect with farmers and small businesses and spreading the message of Shop Local-Hire Local. To find a good solution for the unemployment plaguing our district; one must first truly understand the problem and be involved. This is not the time to play bureaucratic games – people’s livelihoods are at stake. And I want to assure the people of Missouri’s 3^rd district that I’m hitting the streets and farms working hard for them,” said Ed Martin.

Ed Martin will be at the Maplewood Farmers’ Market at Schlafly Bottleworks located at 7260 Southwest Avenue at 4pm today.

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

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) August 31, 2010 – Ed Martin is pleased to announce he has earned the endorsement of the Missouri Farm Bureau! This announcement comes following a candidate interview with the Missouri Farm Bureau last night. While the MO Farm [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077
All Other Campaign Inquiries: (314) 256-1776

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) August 31, 2010 – Ed Martin is pleased to announce he has earned the endorsement of the Missouri Farm Bureau! This announcement comes following a candidate interview with the Missouri Farm Bureau last night. While the MO Farm Bureau endorsed Congressman Carnahan in 2008 he did not even bother to make an appearance last night.

Meanwhile Ed Martin has been traveling the district reaching out to farmers and those in the agriculture business for the past year. In June, he created an Agricultural Advisory Group to address particular concerns facing farmers. Earlier this month Ed Martin spent the day touring farms and agricultural businesses to witness first-hand the struggles they face. Included on the tour were: Meert Tree Farm (Festus), Martin Dairy (Pevely), Eckenfels Farm (Ste. Gen.), Naeger Forestry Products (Ste. Gen.), and Crown Valley Vineyards, Winery, and Brewhouse (Ste. Gen).

Ed Martin is taking the time to listen to farmers and small businesses and he’s hearing overwhelmingly that the Cap-and-Trade bill, for which Congressman Russ Carnahan gave his rubber stamp of approval, is of utmost concern to them. 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)

“This current Congress seems determined to pass cap and trade and our farmers and small businesses are beyond concerned – they are downright fearful,” said David Reed, MO Farm Bureau board of directors (2007-2009). “We need someone like Ed Martin who will take the time to listen and learn, someone who will in fact represent us. We can’t afford to allow anyone to simply rubberstamp a bill on anything.”

Agriculture is a major driver of the state and regional economy.  The sale of agriculture products contributed $37 million to the economy of Missouri’s 3^rd District in 2007. 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.

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

Includes Ed Martin Signing Pledge

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 23, 2010 – The Agricultural Advisory Group discussed several key issues facing farmers in Missouritoday. With the current Congress determined to pass cap and trade and the threat of the death tax being “revived” farmers and smallbusinesses are beyond concerned – they [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Includes Ed Martin Signing Pledge

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 23, 2010 – The Agricultural Advisory Group discussed several key issues facing farmers in Missouritoday. With the current Congress determined to pass cap and trade and the threat of the death tax being “revived” farmers and smallbusinesses are beyond concerned – they are downright fearful. Agriculture is a major driver of the state and regional economy.  The sale of agriculture products contributed $37 million to the economy of Missouri’s 3rd District in 2007.

If Congress does not act soon and pass a permanent repeal of the estate or “death” tax then a 55% tax will be imposed on farm and ranch estates worth $1 million or more come January 1, 2011. While $1 million may seem sizeable one must realize 80 percent of farm and ranch assets are land based. “Reviving” the estate/death tax will surely strike a blow to farmers already hit hard by economic down times.

Congressional candidate Ed Martin understands the detrimental impact the estate/death tax would have not only on farmers but small businesses across the district. Today, with the Agricultural Advisory Group as witness, he signed a pledge to permanently repeal the Federal Estate and Gift Taxes.

“Farms and family businesses, the very heart of our country, are typically passed on from generation to generation. To be penalized for passing on to your children and grandchildren what you poured your sweat and tears into is not only poor policy but economically doesn’t make sense. This tax destroys jobs by targeting small businesses – the economic engine of America. Stalling that engine slows job growth and revenue overall. It’s like the cap and trade bill Congressman Carnahan voted to pass – yet another burden on the backs of small businesses and farmers. Carnahan should step outside of Washington and listen to the people because he continues to be out of touch with his constituents here in Missouri,” said Ed Martin.

Congressman Carnahan’s vote for cap and trade was a major topic of concern for the Agricultural Advisory Group. If cap and trade becomes reality it will prove disabling for our local farmers and food producers. A recent analysis by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri – Columbia concluded production costs would increase by as much as 8.4% for corn, 6.3% for soy, and 9.2% for wheat if the House bill Congressman Russ Carnahan supported becomes law. And theUSDA recently testified that a cap and trade program would dramatically reduce livestock production - double digits by 2050.

Congressional candidate Ed Martin will continue to meet with the Agricultural Advisory Group or AAG. He is planning an Agriculture Tour across the district. Unlike Congressman Carnahan, Ed Martin wants to have active conversations, roundtables, and town halls with constituents in the 3rd district in order to truly represent them.

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

(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 [...]]]> 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