San Angelo, Texas will host the next farm bill listening session July 31, followed by additional meetings in Morgan, Minn., Aug., 3 and Modesto, Cal., Aug. 5, according to an announcement by House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (MN-7).

 “The Next Farm Bill, Conversations in the Field,” will gather input from farmers, ranchers and stakeholders across the country, according to a new release from the House Agriculture committee.

The sessions will be crucial, Conaway and Peterson say, to determine how well the current farm programs are working and where changes are needed. These initial sessions also take place during a time of extreme hardships for many farmers and ranchers across the country.

“With the farm economy in its worst slide since the Great Depression, producers in every region of the country have important perspectives about what is and isn’t working in agricultural policy. I’m looking forward to taking what we heard in Florida and adding new perspectives as we travel across the country to ensure we craft the strong farm bill our country deserves,” said Chairman Conaway.

“These listening sessions are a continuation of the Committee’s review of farm bill programs and I’m looking forward to hearing directly from farmers and others impacted by the farm bill. Real world examples of what is, and maybe isn’t, working will help better inform Committee members when we begin the task of writing a new farm bill,” said Ranking Member Peterson.