Boswell Amendment Creating a USDA Veterans' Liaison Included in House Farm Bill

Statement

Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA-3) today thanked his colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee for approving his veterans' liaison amendment during last night's mark-up of the Farm Bill.

"I thank the Committee for approving the bipartisan amendment that my friend Congressman Chris Gibson of New York and I put forward which establishes a veterans' liaison within the Department of Agriculture to help returning service members, who wish to feed their nation when they return home, navigate available farm programs," Boswell said. "Today technology changes even more frequently and more quickly than ever before, which is why our veterans deserve access to a liaison who can connect them with the resources and training they need, and who also understands the skills and perspective that veterans bring to farming."

The measure, which is supported by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, would ensure that veterans are knowledgeable about existing USDA programs they are eligible for so they are able to benefit from them. This position would also be empowered to work with Veterans Affairs to coordinate veteran benefits with enrolling in agricultural training programs.

"I am glad we were able to complete consideration of the House Farm Bill, and though we still have differences to work out particularly with nutrition programs, I have gained confidence that we will be able to deliver a final bill that contains responsible savings and enables farmers and ranchers to continue to provide the safest, most plentiful and affordable food supply in the world," Boswell said.

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