September 1, 2010

GRAND RAPIDS – Congressional candidate Pat Miles visited the Fulton Street Farmers Market today to speak with local vendors about his stances on agriculture, and to highlight votes Justin Amash has made against West Michigan Farmers’ interests.
 
Miles said, “We need to make sure our valued farmers in West Michigan are supported by good farm policy. In Congress, I will work to encourage innovation, research, and help farmers fund clean energy projects that protect the environment and increase farm profits.”
 
Miles continued, “I will work to make sure the next Farm Bill subsidies are directed where they’re needed the most, support increased funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to provide farmers with loans and grants to build clean energy projects, and support nutrition provisions in the Farm Bill, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program.”
 
In contrast, Justin Amash voted in the State House against funding for the Michigan Department of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2010–2011 [HB 5875, 3/25/10], and voted against legislation to provide tax relief to farmers [HB 5086, 6/25/09].
 
Cory DeMint, owner and executive chef of The Electric Cheetah, a restaurant that uses local produce, said, "The Department of Agriculture is extremely important in supporting our local farmers like the ones who sell their food at the Fulton Street Farmers' Market. Farm assistance and food safety programs must be in place. I appreciate that Pat Miles came out to the farmers market to talk to local farmers about how the government can best work to support West Michigan farms. Their success helps my restaurant, The Electric Cheetah, continue to make high quality food. We need a representative in Congress who will fight to help local farmers succeed."
 
“Justin Amash has voted numerous times at the expense of farmers in West Michigan,” said Miles spokesperson Amy Fetherolf. “We must have an advocate in Congress who will not do away with vital farm assistance, nutrition programs, and food safety programs.”
 
“Amash’s policies on agriculture would devastate the farm industry in West Michigan,” continued Fetherolf. “Eliminating funding for the Michigan Department of Agriculture would defund programs that keep our food supply safe and take away vital programs that help our farms grow and thrive.”