What are the priorities for Pennsylvanians in new Farm Bill?

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Matt Rourke / AP Photo

Shown is a farm in Stroudsburg, Pa., Monday, April 19, 2021.

Airdate: July 18th, 2023

 

Congress is in the midst of negotiating a new Farm Bill. So, what should the priorities be in that bill, that comes up every five years?

A poll conducted for the Union of Concerned Scientists asked registered voters in Pennsylvania and three other states where agriculture is a major industry, questions about climate change, access to food and small farms being able to compete.

To talk about the results of that poll and what we can learn from it on The Spark Tuesday was Karen Perry Stillerman, Deputy Director of the Food and Environment Program for the Union of Concerned Scientists, who said crop failures from extreme weather was considered a significant threat by 73% of those polled and corporate consolidation squeezing small and midsize farmers and businesses was seen a significant threat by 76%.

Another major finding was 41% think Congress’ focus should be on making sure people have enough to eat compared to 25% who said all the focus should be on making sure people receing doos assistance are working. 29% said it should be split 50/50.