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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION
CONTACTS:
Gretchen Allsop (202) 434-0604
gallsop@fd-us.com
September 30, 2004
Major Farm Groups Band
Together to Campaign for Agriculture
(Washington, D.C.—September 20, 2004) Eight highly influential
agricultural groups announced today that they have joined forces to
create Home Grown, a new public information effort to educate Americans
on the benefits of today’s farmers and American farm policy.
Home Grown will
demonstrate to American consumers that U.S. farming families provide
92 percent of America’s food and fiber, the
United States still enjoys the most affordable food and fiber products
in the world, and today’s farmers need existing federal policy
to continue to provide these invaluable products.
“
Home Grown is not just about farmers who grow wheat, cotton, rice,
or any other single commodity,” said Mark Gage, president of
the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). “With the full
spectrum of agriculture involved, we will be 2 million unified voices
sharing the stories of modern-day farming families and the benefits
they provide to our country.”
Dee Vaughan, a
Texas farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association,
said this cooperation will make the Home Grown
campaign
a success.
“
We want to make sure people have the right picture in their minds about
farming and agriculture,” Vaughan said. “They need to know
that food in America is the most affordable in the world thanks to
a strong federal farm policy and the highly efficient way U.S. farmers
work.
Americans
need to know that farmers are stewards of the environment and
current federal policy encourages environmentally friendly farming
techniques. They need to know the small contribution of taxpayer
dollars—about 4 cents per meal—supports a food and fiber
industry that employs more than 20 million Americans.”
Home Grown will
conduct a wide variety of activities in the coming months in and
outside of Washington, D.C. Members eventually plan to
include other components, such as a program to educate school children
in large cities, point-of-purchase educational materials, and a
communications resource center for agricultural producers.
Home Grown welcomes
corporate sponsorship and invites other groups to join in the effort
to cultivate the recognition and respect
America’s
farmers deserve.
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