Vilsack says Ag situation is a "crisis"

Governor Vilsack says there’s an agricultural crisis — and federalpolicymakers are ignoring it. Vilsack says Iowa’s 100-thousand farmers are facing bleak economic times.Vilsack says it’s time for federal action on a number of fronts. Forexample, Vilsack suggests extending September’s deadline when farmers are torepay government commodity loans.Vilsack says he has been and will continue to pressure all the presidentialcandidates — and the President — to take immediation action. Vilsackis critical of Congressmen Greg Ganske and Tom Latham for failing to attendor send an aide to a forum today in Des Moines with the U.S. Ag Secretary.Vilsack says President Clinton needs to focus on the economic vitality ofRural America just as he began last week to focus on inner cities, Indianreservations, Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta.