U.S. Rep. Ron Barber Honored for Supporting Southern Arizona Farmers, Ranchers

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber today was honored by the American Farm Bureau Federation for his strong and consistent support of Southern Arizona farmers and ranchers.

"Every vote I take and the work I do at home and in Washington is focused on Southern Arizona. Looking out for the farming and ranching communities at home is a big piece of that," Barber said today.

"We may not agree on every issue, but I want to make sure that residents of rural areas know that my door is always open and I will listen to them and be their voice in Washington," Barber added. "I thank the Farm Bureau for this honor and recognition and for their work for communities throughout Arizona."

Barber today was named a Friend of the Farm Bureau -- an honor he received after he was nominated by the Arizona Farm Bureau. The national organization made the final decision to present Barber with the award.

"Congressman Barber has been a strong advocate for the farmers and ranchers of Southern Arizona. He always takes the time to listen to us and understands the issues we face every day," Arizona Farm Bureau President Kevin Rogers, a fourth-generation Arizona farmer, said today. "We thank him for his support."

Rogers and other officials with the Arizona Farm Bureau presented the award to Barber today in his Washington office.

Since he took office, Barber has been focused on bringing jobs to Southern Arizona. From housing to defense, Barber is actively working with groups whose priorities match those of Arizona's economic sectors -- from the Arizona Farm Bureau to the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association and Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association.

As a member of the House Small Business Committee, Barber also works to support access to capital and growth for small businesses in Southern Arizona and across the country.

Since he took office in mid-2012:

Barber voted in June to pass two pieces of legislation that will ease the tax burden on small businesses. The legislation was supported by more than 150 organizations representing businesses across the country including the American Farm Bureau.
In July 2013, Barber stood with farmers and the Arizona Farm Bureau against a piecemeal approach to the Farm Bill. That legislation was opposed by farmers and the Arizona Farm Bureau, which called for a comprehensive bill. The Arizona and American Farm Bureaus thanked Barber for his vote in support of certainty for agriculture. Rogers, president of the Arizona Farm Bureau, said: "American farmers and families need the certainty that comes with comprehensive agricultural policy. The Arizona Farm Bureau appreciates the support of Congressman Barber and his vote in opposing the splitting of the nation's Farm Bill."
Barber voted in January to pass a five-year Farm Bill, extending most major federal farm and nutrition assistance programs through fiscal year 2018. A key part of the bill for Arizona was inclusion of funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, which reimburses counties for their inability to collect property taxes for federal land. The Arizona Farm Bureau supported passage of the bill and praised Barber for his work on the legislation. "This bill provides certainty that our farmers need for planning and for maintaining a reliable food supply, and the Arizona Farm Bureau thanks Congressman Barber for his vote and support," the bureau said.
Barber voted in October 2013 to approve bipartisan water-infrastructure legislation that will support thousands of jobs in Arizona and may play a role in helping to prevent flooding along the Santa Cruz River. The American Farm Bureau was among organizations supporting the legislation.
Barber joined Republicans as well as Democrats to support legislation to expedite wildfire prevention projects in some areas of national forests that are at a higher risk of devastating wildfires. The American Farm Bureau supported the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act authorizing the U.S. Forest Service to manage additional National Forest land through timber production.

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