Representative given Golden Plow Award for distinguished service

"As a group of farmers and ranchers, we want government to have less to do with our lives."  Richard Pombo

REPRESENTATIVE

By Ken McNeill - SAN JOAQUIN BUREAU

The American Farm Bureau Federation has given Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, its Golden Plow Award for his distinguished service to agriculture and support.

"Throughout his tenure in the House, Rep. Pombo has been a strong advocate for American agriculture and an ardent defender of the rights of property owners," Steve Appel, vice-president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in a press release.

Pombo also has played a leading role in advancing passage of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, which provides relief for rural communities whenever devastating wildfires break out, Appel said.

Upon accepting the award, Pombo said he would treasure the award because it comes from an organization that represents a deeply patriotic and committed sector of America.

"As a group of farmers and ranchers, we really want government to have less to do with our lives," Pombo said. "What prompted me to run in the first place was the fact that I was spending more time filling out paperwork and dealing with regulations. We really don't want the government involved in our business."

Pombo also said that farmers are a small minority of the total population, and they have to work together on important issues.

The Golden Plow Award was created in 1988 and is a polished bronze replica of a John Deere steel plow. It is awarded to members of Congress to recognize their distinguished service to American agriculture and for support of American Farm Bureau policies.