Governor John Bel Edwards made a stop at local Farmer Richard Fontenot’s home in Vidrine as a part of the governor’s “Louisiana Agricultural Listening Tour.”
Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain has been accompanying the governor on this tour, which is for the purpose of getting an idea of the issues Louisiana farmers currently face.
The visit allowed local farmers to discuss problems and solutions for the issues they are currently facing.
Before hearing from the governor, Strain addressed a full warehouse on Fontenot’s farm.
Strain said, “As we (Strain and Edwards) were working in Washington to bring back money for the flood disaster that occurred in Louisiana, the governor made a solid commitment. He said, ‘We will get money for agriculture,’ and he has stuck to his commitment.
“We didn’t get all that we wanted yet. We have $10 million and a thousand people that have applied for it. Hopefully we will get that money out in February or March.”
Strain went on to talk about trade, which he called “critical” for the farm industry. He shared with those in attendance that trade is currently “up almost 10 percent for the year.”
One thing that has boosted trade has been Iraq’s 90,000 metric ton buy of American long grain rice through a new trade agreement between the United States and Iraq.
The governor then addressed the crowd and shared progress that has been made in the state.
Gov. Edwards said, “We have had a tremendous challenge in terms of the budget, but you have to try to make the right decisions. Sometimes making the right decision is a very hard decision to make and an unpopular decision. And, sometimes you are deciding on the least of the bad options in front of you. That is what leaders do, and it’s tough but you have to make the decision confident that you are doing the right thing.”
The governor then shared some big news for Louisiana that he says makes him feel that the state is moving forward.
Gov. Edwards said, “I am confident that the decisions that need to made are being made. I am confident today that we are heading in the right direction and our unemployment rate shows that. The unemployment rate is now at 4.8 percent, which is the best it has been since June 2008. We still have a long way to go, but this is indication that we are going in the right direction.”
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ELIZABETH WEST