Annie Kuster

I am determined to build upon these critical winds and further enhance USDA's broadband programs.

If you need anything for us to do legislatively to help you streamline those programs.

In the past 2 years, we have enacted targeted programs and made historic investments to bridge the digital divide.

One of the most important things we can do to address climate change is to keep farmland as farms and forestland as forest.

I believe this value-added program will only grow in demand as small family farmers and producers seek to diversify their products and make connections with local consumers.

A quick and streamlined process would be helpful.

Great. Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and I want to thank Chief Cosby and Administrator Ducheneaux for joining us today.

I believe we can realize that goal by recognizing and supporting farmers and foresters for the climate-smart steps they are already taking.

the connections this program allows seniors to make with fresh, local food, as well as other community resources, are invaluable.

Administrator Long, do you believe the flexibilities extended to SNAP during the pandemic have been valuable?

Reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband service is what makes those things possible.

That safety net is more critical than ever as we recover our supply chains from the height of the pandemic and navigate the food and fuel shortages stemming from Russia's unconscionable invasion of Ukraine.

We have significant funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that has already gone through, and signed into law, and more to come.

Sustainable forestry and conservation are in our blood in the Granite State of New Hampshire.

USDA Rural Development programs across the board have a tremendous impact in my state with broadband, water, energy, housing, and beyond.

We have talked for many years, and I have been a proud Member of Mr. Clyburn's Rural Broadband Task Force.

Just last week, I am proud to announce that New Hampshire received $66 million in broadband funding under the American Rescue Plan.

Not only does this flexibility cut a lot of unnecessary red tape, it still holds applicants to the same standards.

The good news is that forests are the most powerful clean air technology on Earth, reducing the net amount of CO2 in the atmosphere as the trees grow.

We need to do more to focus our nationwide effort around farm transitions and ensuring that the next generation of farmers get off to the right start.

We want to make sure that folks have an opportunity, no matter where they live and no matter where they are, to participate in farm bill programs.

New Hampshire is the second most forested state in the nation, and we know very well that working forests already play an important role as carbon sinks.

This flexibility allows states to process SNAP applications without expensive telephonic signature technology.

We have had multiple, and I personally have had multiple conversations with producers from the northeastern part of the United States just discussing the unique marketing challenges that they face.

As the chair of our bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Taskforce, I very much look forward to working with you to transition from the post-COVID era to renew our attention to addiction in rural America.