Jeff Fortenberry

The harder, more subjective aspects of livability and well-being are harder to put a number on

What we are talking about here is the most human of things: well-being, opportunity, solidarity

I think we need to change that equation.

We throw a lot of money at it, but do we really know what we are getting?

My own experience of reviewing it was again a program set up very rapidly to meet emergency food needs.

How are we defining the gap? How are we closing the gap?

I think this is important. Because as we are seeing more and more conglomerate corporate control of our economy, there is an incumbent responsibility on these major retailers that actually participate with us in pursuing the types of…

I do think they have the foundational expertise to perhaps be a substantive participant in that internal discussion.

I think it is an important program, again, meeting multiple objections in educating kids about nutrition, but also generating local economies for our farmers.

Food is health. And to make those two things inextricably intertwined has to be the objective if we are providing a holistic public policy for well-being.

I think the adjustment to SNAP's Thrifty Food Plan will put healthy food in reach for many very, very poor families for whom it just may not have been an option for them.

This is the largest, by far, part of the USDA budget.

Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, not only for your friendship but your important leadership.

Well, let's all keep thinking critically on the question, because, again, I think we are in a transformative moment in this regard.

Rural broadband is more than wires laid and money spent. It is about the meaning of that process.

I agree with the vision as well. And I think we need to tell the story loudly and clearly, as you are doing and as I am trying to do and the chairman is doing, about the power and greatness of American agriculture.

What I call 'fake meat' as it impacts the possibility of reducing climate change, which is minuscule in comparison to other problems that we have, would be so disruptive in terms of nutritional value of beef.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, I am so grateful for your leadership, your willingness to host this first hearing with the Secretary of the new administration.

Yeah well, we have got a lot of public expenditures going in this direction anyway, about $2 billion worth.

Let's do it in the middle of the country. Let's do it right here.

I want to ask about a couple of things. You heard a lot of today's hearing focused on young and beginning and small farmers.

I truly believe farmers are the original stewards of the land, and I believe they have an important role to play in the climate change conversation.

Any time you are dependent on a single country like we are with China, we are at risk.

We are pioneering the farm of the future, through wedding high-tech with high-touch.

In Nebraska our farmers and ranchers help feed the world.