CRYSTAL FALLS -Congressman Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, paid a visit to the Melvin Johnson Potato Farm, as a part of visits to several farms and businesses across the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.

Johnson serves as president of the Iron Range Farm Bureau

A member of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, Benishek wanted to hear about the issues facing farmers in his district.

Issues discussed during his hour-long visit included the need for expansion of hours at walk-in clinics in the Dickinson/Iron County areas, the illegal and unsafe use of slow-moving vehicle signs as driveway markers; the need to ensure affordable, high-speed internet access in rural areas; the possible negative impact on farming from the recent publication of new regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency concerning Waters of the United States; the undue length of time needed to get environmental-friendly pesticides approved for use; and the progress of the legislation to rescind Country of Origin (COOL) labeling for meat and produce coming from Canada and Mexico.

The congressman spent considerable time talking with the younger farm owners and employees, listening to their concerns and giving them feedback.