Lowe In The News

SEN. FINNEY LISTENS TO GIBSON COUNTY FARMERS AT AG FORUM

TRENTON – Farmers from across Gibson County turned out on an icy Monday morning for a light breakfast and farm and agriculture forum hosted by Sen. Lowe Finney (D-Jackson) at the Ed Jones Agriplex.

“Everyone braved the weather to come out for a great event,” Finney said. “It was good to have coffee with some familiar faces and listen to what they had to say.”

Finney and Adam Hill, Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture, addressed a wide range of agricultural issues facing Gibson County farmers, who drove in from all parts of the county for Monday’s breakfast.

“The forum gave us an opportunity to offer suggestions and make Senator Finney aware of issues he might not know about otherwise,” said cattle farmer Larry Patterson, who drove in the snow and ice from his home farm in Bradford to attend the forum.

“It was evident that Senator Finney is on top of the issues, and has worked very closely with agricultural organizations to do the things necessary to help our community,” Patterson said.

Discussion centered around Governor Phil Bredesen's recent budget proposals, the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program, crop insurance programs, and various pieces of legislation regarding such issues as education, conservation, and animal welfare.

"Helping our farming families is one of the top economic development tools we have in this state. As the farming industry goes, so goes the Tennessee economy. If farmers in rural West Tennessee are successful, farm-related industries in the urban areas also benefit. That means better jobs and higher incomes for our working families," said Finney.

Similar events for Carroll and Madison Counties are scheduled for March, but final details have not been released.