Congressman visits rice farm

On August 31, 2017, Congressman Jason Smith stopped at Riverside Rice to meet with owners Jeff and Bob Pierce to talk about their family owned and operated rice farm in Pemiscot County. Smith and the Pierce family discussed labor issues and the exciting news about new markets that have opened for Missouri rice sales.

In July, President Trump announced that U.S. rice producers are now able to export their products to the biggest rice consumer in the world, China.

“This is exciting news for farms like Riverside Rice and rice farmers across our district,” said Congressman Smith. “It’s great to see President Trump and his administration negotiate deals that benefit all Americans, especially Missouri rice farmers.”

While showing Smith the day to day operations of Riverside Rice, the Pierces shared that it’s difficult to compete with robust federal welfare programs which gives adults more incentive to collect a welfare check than coming to work at Riverside Rice.

“I’ve heard so many times during my focus on farms that people can make just as much money or, in some cases, more money on government programs than they can by doing an honest day’s work,” said Congressman Smith. “That’s why I’ve supported legislation to strengthen work requirements for public assistance programs.”

Smith sponsored The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Reform Act of 2017 to help lift people out of poverty and drive down government dependency. The bill would promote self-sufficiency and restore families by strengthening work requirements for all able-bodied adults without dependents who receive food stamps from SNAP.

“There is a tremendous amount of pride in knowing you worked hard for what you earned,” said Congressman Smith. “That’s how I grew up, and I think it’s important to pass that work ethic along and not let folks just get something for nothing.”

This is the fifth year that Congressman Jason Smith has dedicated the month of August to focus on farms in southeast and south central Missouri. Throughout this month, Congressman Smith will visit Missouri’s agricultural operations to hear directly from farmers, ranchers and agriculture industry professionals to get a better understanding of what challenges they are facing and how he can help as they work to feed and supply America.

One of the biggest concerns Smith heard about during last August’s focus on farms was the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation, which sought to federally regulate every drop of water on Missouri farmers’ land. In the last year, Smith worked directly with the Trump Administration to stop this rule and relieve Missouri farmers from the burden of WOTUS. 

Congressman Smith has plans to stop at farms in each of the 30 counties in Missouri's Eighth Congressional District. This year’s focus on farms will highlight the people in our area who run these operations and the tremendous impact that agriculture has on the economy and rural way of life in southeast and south central Missouri.