WSJM: Walberg, Deputy Ag Secretary visit Berrien County farm
Congressman Tim Walberg and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden have heard firsthand from a Sodus Township farmer about what they can do to make life easier for growers around Southwest Michigan.
The two toured Leitz Farms on Thursday, talking with owner Fred Leitz about everything from trade policy to migrant workers to fertilizer production. Walberg told us he invited Vaden to visit his district to showcase Michigan’s diverse agricultural industry. The tour began in the Jackson area, but he wanted to get out to Southwest Michigan with its varied specialty crops.
“As a member of Congress, seeing more interest in that unique agriculture that is specialty crops and frankly finally seeing some effort both in Congress and from the Department of Agriculture in recognizing that and trying to meet some of the needs that are legitimate in assisting this industry,” Walberg said.
Walberg said that’s encouraging. He also said the parts of the “Big Beautiful Bill” provide greater certainty for farmers and should make it easier to pass a broader Farm Bill.
Vaden said the Trump administration is working each day to open up new markets for American growers.
“There was a four year period that preceded us where there was a policy of not negotiating with anyone,” Vaden said. “Now that sounds crazy, but that’s true. What we’re trying to do is literally every country this administration goes to, they know one thing. If you are unwilling to open up your markets further to American farmers, you can’t reach a trade agreement with us.”
Walberg said he found the day of talking with farmers and the deputy secretary to be encouraging.
“For me, as the member of Congress, I’ve heard very clearly today we have an ally working with us in the administration, who understands issues, concerns, has been out to see what’s going on,” Walberg said. “But I think for me, as a member of Congress, it’s talking with my colleagues and saying, let’s not mess around. debating the issue, let’s move as quickly as possible, to hop on the opportunity we have now, to put ourselves back in a competitive relationship with the rest of the world, and really put ourselves back on top in every way, shape, or form, because we do have that impetus of what free market capitalism is all about, and we can lead the world again.”
Vaden also praised Lietz Farms, saying it’s a multi-million dollar operation that’s shipped to Boston and New York City in just the last few days, highlighting how robust agriculture is in the United States. He added that it’s a goal of the administration to make the U.S. more self-sufficient in food production to improve safety and support American farmers.