Tester's Third Farm Bill Event Hits on Conservation and Timber

Senator's Barnstormin' Tour Stops in Missoula

(Missoula, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester today hosted his third Barnstormin’ listening session in Missoula to get input from Montanans on how to craft the next Farm Bill so it will strengthen conservation efforts and put folks back to work in the woods.

Tester heard from a diverse group of stakeholders who discussed the conservation and timber provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill and how they can be tweaked to work better in Montana.

“The next Farm Bill needs to work for Montana. That’s why I’m traveling across the state getting feedback from folks on the ground so we can craft a bill that strengthens our economy and creates jobs,” said Tester. “I will continue to work with Montanans to ensure this next Farm Bill builds on the successes of the last one and fixes what isn’t working.”

Over 70 people attended today’s event including over a dozen panelists who discussed the role that farmers play in protecting water, land, and wildlife habitat. Stakeholders from the timber industry provided feedback on how Congress can help the Forest Service expedite timber projects on public land.

Tester has hosted two other Farm Bill listening sessions in Billings and Whitefish focused on grains, livestock, and pulses and specialty crops and value-added agriculture. The Senator will announce more Farm Bill events in the coming weeks and months.