Peanut farmers give lawmakers an earful and mouthful

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers had a little more to chew on at the annual Peanut Butter Day on Capitol Hill Thursday, and not just because the caterers ordered extra peanut butter sandwiches, cookies and brownies. <br> <br> An apparent congressional stalemate over a new ten-year farm bill figures to hamper peanut farmers more than most, and they were determined to use the lobby day to let their lawmakers know. The trouble is, few members of Congress showed up -- and the ones who did were already allies. <br> <br> Dale Armstrong has one-thousand acres of peanuts on his farm in Headland, Alabama. <br> <br> Armstrong said, ``We&#39;re in desperate need of a farm bill and a farm bill quick. At this point, we&#39;re basically at a standstill.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Although producers of most commodities will likely be operating under a system similar to their current ones, this isn&#39;t the case with peanuts. Both houses of Congress have agreed to eliminate the quota system, which guarantees lofty government price supports for select farmers, and replace it with lower guarantees for all farmers. Quota holders would be modestly compensated for their losses. <br> <br> However, with a final farm bill proving elusive, peanut farmers are having trouble getting loans from banks uncertain whether they&#39;ll be operating under the old quota system or a new one for the harvest. <br> <br> Although that sense of urgency hovered over Peanut Butter Day, now in its third year, the popular event didn&#39;t lack its fun. <br> <br> Children dressed as bumblebees ran around the room in the Senate office building, reminding munchers that peanuts are high in folic acid and, of course, Vitamin ``Bee.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The caterers who provided the spread of peanut butter sandwiches, cheesecake, cookies and brownies said they actually prepared more food this year. But it was gone quickly, and several staffers who showed up late were forced to settle for a bag of peanuts, although they got their choice of state: Georgia, Alabama or Florida.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/3/197495