I would like to thank Ranking Member Spanberger for her comments and questions, and for her strong support of agricultural research.

We cannot forget about the importance of agricultural research in ensuring the United States continues to have the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food and fiber supply in the world.

I want to reiterate my continued support for making strong investments in research.

The farm bill that we are working on will obviously serve those in America's number one industry, agriculture, from 2023, when we get this done, to 2028.

I appreciate the witnesses joining us here today and look forward to hearing about the great work they are doing.

American farmers, ranchers, and foresters have increased agriculture outputs nearly threefold with little to no change in inputs.

I am proud to represent State College--home of Pennsylvania's only land-grant university.

Today the deferred maintenance backlog, as we heard from a number of our witnesses, is estimated to be over $11.5 billion.

Today's hearing is an opportunity to review programs authorized in the research title of the farm bill to ensure our universities are equipped to solve the challenges facing agriculture now, and well into the future.

As USDA's Rural Development agency is the only Federal agency with the sole focus of serving rural communities like the ones I represent, it is critical that we are providing these communities with the tools and resources they need to enjoy the same quality of life and services that enjoyed by families living elsewhere.

I am advocating for those hardworking families, including on solutions to support mental health in rural communities, and ensuring that rural families have more reliable access to childcare.