Congressman Barrow talks with local farmers

U.S. Congressman John Barrow paid a visit to local cattle farmer J.L. Glisson's place last week to talk about issues affecting farmers and rural communities. A crowd of at least 50 gathered for the event, which marked one of Barrow's stops on his annual "Listening Tour" of the 12th Congressional District. Burke County Farm Bureau president Lee Webster said that the Farm Bill debate, drought assistance and the closing of the Rural Development office in Waynesboro topped the list of concerns brought up at the meeting. "I was real pleased he chose us for an evening meeting," Webster said. "He had plenty of time. He sat there and talked to everyone until everybody was ready to go." Webster said one of the reasons they chose to meet at Glisson's farm was to highlight the situation cattle farmers are facing as they cope with the drought and high feed prices.