Jon Tester, U.S. Senator

Joined by Baucus, Schweitzer and National Farmers Union PAC Chairman, Tester Receives Endorsement of National Farm Group

Today Big Sandy farmer Jon Tester highlighted his priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill alongside Senator Max Baucus, Governor Brian Schweitzer and National Farmers Union Political Action Committee (NATFARMPAC) Chairman Tom Buis. Tester also received NATFARMPAC’s official endorsement.

“As chairman of the National Farmers Union Political Action Committee I am especially proud to announce our support and endorsement of Jon Tester. He is a farmer, and if there is ever a time that we need more farmers in Washington, it’s now,” Tom Buis said. The current Congress has ignored the challenges we face in rural America. They have failed to pass emergency disaster assistance to give a helping hand to the thousands of farmers and ranchers who have suffered from drought over the past two years, they cut farm program spending and have failed to implement Country of Origin Labeling even though it has been the law of the land since 2002. We can do better—and you can’t get any better than sending Jon Tester, a real farmer, to the U.S. Senate. Jon understands the hard work and risks of farming.”

Tester’s priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill include:

• Promoting food security and crop diversification for family agriculture by maintaining
• a workable safety net
• National implementation of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
• Expansion of renewable energy crops
• Renewable energy research and development
• Lowering fuel and transportation costs
• Facilitating value-added programs for agriculture and timber products

“Jon Tester has a solid plan for writing a new farm bill. Jon comes from the land. He’s a real Montanan. Jon knows firsthand what’s important to Montana ranchers and farmers,” Sen. Max Baucus said. “As a senior member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I look forward to working together with Jon Tester on the 2007 Farm Bill. Together, Jon and I will ensure that it’s right for Montana. Unlike his opponent, Jon won’t just pay lip service to our important priorities, like passing Country of Origin Labeling.”

As president of the Montana Senate, Tester worked closely with Governor Schweitzer in the 2005 Montana Legislature to put a renewed focus on Montana’s agriculture industry.

“Jon Tester is Real Montana,” said Gov. Brian Schweitzer. “He puts our hardworking families first by helping farmers and ranchers add value to their crops. Whether it is his work advocating for the Made in Montana program, wind energy, fair freight rates, ethanol or biodiesel – Montana agriculture has a friend in Jon Tester.”

Under Tester’s leadership in 2005, Montana lawmakers passed legislation:

• Enacting COOL in Montana
• Implementing a noxious weed control trust fund
• Protecting Montana’s beef industry
• Promoting Montana’s agriculture products
• Focusing on the energy potential of Montana agriculture

“Jon Tester has demonstrated leadership on behalf of rural Montanans—taking on the railroads, promoting renewable energy and passing COOL in Montana. We need that type of leadership in Washington on behalf of farmers, ranchers and all rural Montanans,” Buis said.

“As a third generation Montana farmer who wants to pass the family farm on to my children, there is no issue more important to me than the future of agriculture. Montana’s economy and way of life depend on this industry, and there is nothing more important to me than a farm bill that puts Montana farm and ranch families first,” Jon Tester said. “I will fight in the U.S. Senate to put us on the path to agricultural security and energy independence.”

Posted on Friday, October 27th, 2006 at 1:33 pm.