One of the great things about getting the Farm Bill done was that we were able to resume our trade promotion programs.

We are excited about the pilot employment and training opportunities to help put people that are on SNAP or looking for work to work.

There is enormous opportunity for expanded agricultural trade with these two trade agreements.

I can assure you that we are going to take compliance and the integrity of these programs very seriously.

It is important to note that this is in a sense effective the day the President signed the Farm Bill.

We have instructed folks to get this established this year. We anticipate it gets done this year.

We understand and appreciate the transformative opportunity that this regional conservation partnership program presents.

I am a strong believer in the Renewable Fuel Standard. And I know it is controversial even in this Committee, but I believe it is important to have for jobs, for stabilizing farm income, for reducing our reliance on foreign oil, and for…

A strong agriculture sector is key to strong rural communities, supporting 9.2 percent of jobs in the economy.

Eighty-five percent of the Nation's poorest counties are rural, and per capita income in rural America lags behind that in urban areas.

We will have the new program in place by September.

We hope to be able to allow folks to make application for assistance by April 15.