News Release

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo was honored today by Idaho sugar growers and the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association for his work on sugar programs in the 2008 Farm Bill. Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, met with member-growers of the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association just off the Senate floor and accepted a plaque, detailing the growers’ appreciation for Crapo’s leadership on agricultural issues and contributions to the Farm Bill.

“The contribution of Idaho’s sugar producers are a big reason Idaho is a national leader in agricultural production,” Crapo said. “Idaho ranks third in the nation for sugarbeet production, which accounted for an estimated $207 million in revenues last year. I remain hopeful that increases in the sugar loan rates and the minimum allotment quota, as well as the sugar-to-ethanol program in the recently enacted Farm Bill will maintain the industry’s strength in a distorted global market for sugar.”