Protecting Rural America

I grew up working on my family’s ranch in Colorado’s San Luis Valley and I know the difficult challenges our State’s farmers and ranchers face on a day-to-day basis. As a United States Senator and member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, I recognize that the federal government can, and should do more to support them.

I want to share with you several initiatives I have fought for to bolster our Nation’s commitment to the agricultural producers who grow our food supply and maintain our rural heritage.

Permanent Disaster Assistance for Agricultural Producers

This week, I met with representatives of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and the Colorado Farm Bureau to discuss the need to create a permanent disaster assistance program that would help farmers and ranchers recover from weather related disasters. The cumbersome process of developing, approving and implementing disaster assistance programs on a case-by-case basis has resulted in agricultural producers waiting extended periods of time, often years, for help to finally arrive.

Please let me know what you think about a provision creating a permanent disaster program for agricultural producers

I support the inclusion of a provision in this year’s farm bill that would create and fund a standing program to deliver timely financial assistance to America’s farmers and ranchers in the aftermath of a disaster. My hope is that we will be able to move forward with this sensible provision in a bipartisan manner once we begin debate in the U.S. Senate on the 2007 Farm Bill.

Time-out on FSA Closures

The Colorado Farm Service Agency has proposed closing five county offices throughout Colorado. For those of us who know the way of life in rural areas, the FSA office is viewed with the same reverence and importance as the local school building, and as a former rancher in Conejos County, I know that closing the office in La Jara would send the wrong message to communities across our State and the American West. It is for this reason that I have introduced legislation to prohibit the closure or relocation of any Farm Service Agency county office for one year. I believe that closing these offices will have a devastating effect on areas and communities that depend heavily upon the resources and local services that their FSA office provides, and I will do my part to ensure that the process is fair and responsive to the needs of our ranchers and farmers.

Estate Tax Exemption for Family Farms and Ranches

It is extremely disheartening to see our Nation’s farmers and ranchers being forced to sell their land simply because they cannot bear the financial burden placed on them by the estate tax. That is why I have teamed up with Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) to introduce the Family Farm and Ranch Act of 2007, which grants an estate tax exemption for family farms and ranches that stay in the family and continue operations after the original estate-holder passes away. By exempting family-owned and operated farms and ranches that stay in the family from the estate tax, we will ensure that the agricultural tradition remains vibrant and strong here in Colorado, and throughout the entire Nation.

I look forward to updating you on these, and other matters related to our Nation’s ranchers and farmers in the weeks to come.

Sincerely,

Ken Salazar
United States Senator

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns you may have 

Senator Ken Salazar's DC office is located at 702 Hart Senate office building, Washington, DC 20510. He has Colorado regional offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Ft. Morgan, Pueblo, Durango, Grand Junction and Alamosa. For contact and mailing info, click here.