Congressman Phil English to assist local growers...
 

On Friday June 14, 2002 Congressman Phil English (R-PA) visited with some Concord and Niagara Grape Growers in Erie County, Pennsylvania.  Congressman English was met by Tom Davenport of National Grape Cooperative, Adrian Mobilia of Cliffstar Corporation, Francis Barnhart of Barnhart Sales and Service, Nick Mobilia (local grape grower), Bob Finnell (local grape grower), and Bill Richter (local grape grower).  Together the group toured the frost-damaged farms of Bill Richter and Bob Finnell.  The growers were able to show Congressman English first hand how the frost has affected their livelihood.  Grower Bob Finnell told the Congressman, “My granddaughter is the fourth generation on this farm, and we have never seen anything quite like this before.”

Francis Barnhart was able to explain to the Congressman that directly after the damage, his sales and service business just about died.  Mr. Barnhart said, “The following two days not one person entered my business.”  He also explained how this will have a trickle down effect throughout the entire community, and all communities were Concord and Niagara Grape production is prevalent. 

Some of the farmers have reportedly laid off farmhands, returned fertilizer and other spray materials to local farm supply stores, and even cancelled orders on equipment such as grape harvesters. 

The farmers are asking Congressman English to get his congressional counterparts involved in getting some disaster relief money.  When asked the value of the damage Tom Davenport said, “$72,000,000 is the total amount of money lost in Washington, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York during the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons.”  “Any amount of money the farmers receive will play a vital role in staying alive”, reported Adrian Mobilia. 

At the end of the meeting Congressman English had seen enough.  He said he would return to Washington and work with his colleagues in other Concord and Niagara producing states to do whatever he could, to help the farmers get some much needed disaster relief money.