opening statement

We know how important the farm bill is. All of us have the stories. My district is proud to say it is the ninth largest agricultural district, spread amongst a lot of commodities.

This is a critically important discussion.

I believe in these win-win situations, biofuels has been an absolute American success story.

This is so cheap an investment to put money into our international food aid programs and the investment pays off now in saved lives and in the future in relationships that we simply can't build in any other way. It's soft diplomacy, it's…

the people's will comes first, where bipartisanship reigns, and where effectiveness in getting things done is what counts

People have to pay attention then.

We have to do a better job of messaging it.

We can't talk about how tools are working and what tools might be needed to address our forest health until the Forest Service has the resources and personnel to fully utilize the tools they already have.

During the hearing, Representative Walz of Minnesota noted the example of a $900,000 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) grant on a feedlot that led to cleaner water in a nearby trout stream that generates $4 million for the…

Our private forestlands and National Forests provide clean water, clean air, and greatly contribute to our states' economy.