Louisville, KY (February 21, 2012) – Equipped with the state and national priority issues established during its annual meeting, a group of approximately 200 Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) volunteer leaders are now headed to the nation’s capitol for strategic discussions with the Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation.

“The Congressional Tour is an essential part of our national policy implementation process,” said Jeff Harper, KFB’s director of Public Affairs. “It provides our membership the opportunity to put priority issues directly in front of their elected officials and explain how it personally impacts their farm and family.”

The group of county leaders from Kentucky will be briefed on the current political environment by the staff of KFB and American Farm Bureau Federation on Tuesday, February 28. Kent Bacus, Legislative Affairs Manager for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Leon Sequeira, former Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor, will share additional issues updates as the group prepares to meet with its legislators the following day.

"The Farm Bill, farm labor, environmental issues facing agriculture and taxes will be among the major items discussed during this year’s tour,” said Harper. “Our membership is eager to share their concerns and suggestions for resolution to these issues in Washington.”

A full day of interaction with Kentucky’s political leaders in Washington, D.C., begins at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 29, with a breakfast at the Holiday Inn Capitol. Both of Kentucky’s U.S. Senators – Mitch McConnell (R) and Rand Paul (R) – as well as all six of the U.S. Representatives from Kentucky – Ben Chandler (D), Geoff Davis (R), Brett Guthrie (R), Hal Rogers (R), Ed Whitfield (R) and John Yarmuth (D) – will address the KFB group during the breakfast, offering updates on the work being done in our nation’s capitol.

KFB’s delegates have the opportunity to directly promote the interests of Kentucky’s agricultural livelihood to their elected leaders after the breakfast. Each Congressman will open his office and meet individually with those from their home districts. Senators McConnell and Paul will also reconvene with the group later in the day for a lengthier discussion on their work and efforts in Washington.

“Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Congressional Tour provides participants with the unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with their U.S. senators and congressmen,” concluded Harper. “Our members will not only get to voice their concerns directly to those influencing the outcomes of national issues, but they will also gain a deeper appreciation of the many issues facing our nation.”