Press Release - September 25, 2008

On the eve of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival, Louisiana for Obama-Biden is drawing attention to the agricultural policies and voting records of Barack Obama and John McCain, which offer a stark contrast for Louisiana Farmers.

John McCain has a record of voting against the Farm Bill, including the most recent version, and has spent his entire Senate career trying to eliminate the sugar price support program that is so vital to Louisiana's sugar cane farmers. He recently compiled eight votes in a row against renewable energy in the Senate.

Barack Obama represents a major agricultural state, and has laid out a strong plan of support for agriculture and rural economies. His plan includes:

      Establishment of a new program to support and train the next generation of farmers

      Tax incentives to help new farmers afford their first farm

      Increasing access to health care in rural areas

In the Senate, Obama co-sponsored the Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2006 to make grants to state agriculture departments for small farm business relief.

Barack Obama's running mate, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, also has a strong record of support for agriculture.

Agriculture figures prominently in Obama's energy plan, which calls for investing $150 billion over the next 10 years in clean energy, and an increase in the renewable fuel standard. A key part of his energy plan is the *expansion of locally-owned biofuel refineries - to help local communities and rural economies through the growth of farmer-owned refineries.

For more information, visit http://www.laforobamabiden.com