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Soilbean council urges infrastructure, property rights and 'modern agriculture' focus
Summary
Stefan Malvin of the Tennessee Soilbean Promotion Council told the committee that Tennessee soybean growers operate in global markets, that 72.3% of Tennessee soybeans are exported, and he urged investment in roads, rail and protection of property rights to bolster competitiveness.
Stefan Malvin, with the Tennessee Soilbean Promotion Council, told the committee that soy and feed-grain producers operate in an international market and urged lawmakers to invest in transport infrastructure and defend property rights.
Malvin said "72.3% of the beans produced in Tennessee are exported" and described how freight and river access determine whether Tennessee producers can capture new export opportunities. He argued infrastructure — roads, rail and river access — is essential to converting trade agreements and market demand into real benefits for local producers.
He also raised property-rights concerns and called for continued deference to landowners: “I will always drive this home because it within my career, property rights for farmers…” Members from both the agriculture and commerce committees responded with support and questions about water for irrigation and regulatory limits on reservoirs and groundwater.
The statements were presented as industry perspective; no legislation was proposed during his remarks.
