Senator Boozman Visits with Students

U.S. Senator John Boozman talks with the campus about food issues.

A student asks Sen. Boozman a question at Giffels Auditorium.

Honors College junion Maggie Jo Pruitt of Bumpers College moderates.

A student came prepared with questions for U.S. Sen. Boozman on Friday.

U.S. Sen. Boozman makes a point during the Food for Thought lecture.

A student asks Sen. Boozman a question about food issues..

Sen. Boozman talks with a member of the university community.

After the talk, students had their photos taken with Sen. Boozman.

Tony Stankus, professor and life sciences librarian, talks with Sen. Boozman.

Sen. Boozman listens to a question about food issues.

Bumpers College honors students pose with Sen. Boozman.

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U.S. Sen. John Boozman talks with a student following a lecture at Giffels Auditorium.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – U.S. Sen. John Boozman visited with students and answered questions on Friday in the inaugural “Food for Thought” lecture from the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

The lecture series is intended to focus on food, family and the environment, which corresponds with the goal of the Bumpers College to advance the business of foods and the impact of foods on human health, environmental sustainability and human quality of life.

Boozman visited the campus, made a brief presentation to students in Old Main’s Giffels Auditorium and interacted with students in a lengthy question and answer session.

Before turning to the students for questions, Boozman opened with comments on the Hunger Caucus, which he has used to bring awareness to and combat hunger issues in the United States, and the importance of global engagement and sustainability.

“There are 925 million people around the world suffering from malnutrition and hunger,” said Boozman. “The good news is that the number has come down because a lot of different people are involved in the issues of humanity. Arkansas is in a great position to be helpful. The state is at the top or near the top in production and in position to play a vital role.”

Boozman, who grew up in Fort Smith, was sworn in as U.S. senator on Jan. 5, 2011. He serves on four committees – agriculture, nutrition and forestry; appropriations; science and transportation; and veterans affairs.

During the question and answer period, Boozman discussed questions about crops producing higher yields for a growing population.

“Plants have been modified to be more drought resistant,” he said. “The studies I’ve seen show this is very, very safe. There’s a tremendous opportunity here. When you can modify a plant to be more drought resistant and to produce a greater yield, it’s a good deal. There will be a lot of mouths to feed in the future, and right now, and we can do that. A lot of that is due to the research being conducted right here at the University of Arkansas. You’re helping food security as much as anyone.”

Another question concerned increasing the use of natural gas over ethanol. Boozman would like to eliminate policy requiring ethanol use in fuel, which he says helps drive up the price of corn. Fifty percent of the corn supply in the U.S. is used for fuel, he said, which forces farmers to shift to other grains.

“In regard to natural gas, we’ll see a lot more being used because of high fuel prices,” he said. “When fuel prices reach $3.50 per gallon, it changes driving patterns. There simply isn’t any more disposable income. Natural gas can be more competitive, but you can’t have natural gas in your car and go anywhere because there’s no place to fill up your tank. A lot of fleet trucks and buses are looking at converting.”

Boozman also addressed a question about subsidies for local foods.

“I don’t think you’ll see local food subsidies,” he said. “What we try to do is help the local farmers’ markets. Wal-Mart, Target and others are starting to make more local produce available, and I think that is the direction we’ll go. How do we incentivise that? We need to support farmers’ markets and encourage others to buy local produce, and really look at foods to focus on what we’re eating.”

As for food safety, he said: “Right now, the U.S. has the cheapest, safest food supply in the world. The Food and Drug Administration has a lot to do with that. You need a good safety net.”