Abigail Spanberger

And just assuming out--in my limited time, beyond some of the specific hiring challenges, I am curious what could be some of the ways that we could encourage the next generation to enter conservation-related or agricultural-related…

Sir, if I could interrupt you.

The programs you all administer provide vital support to farmers, but also to all of us.

Thank you for your extraordinary answers, very detailed, to the questions asked this afternoon.

In the last year we have made historic investments in meeting producers' demand for these programs through additional funding.

Throughout the day farmers shared the value of NRCS conservation programs to their operations.

We share your continued commitment to improving voluntary, locally-led, and incentive-based programs under USDA and NRCS.

Our rivers and lakes are not only a source of great pride for Virginians but also major economic drivers.

I am proud of the steps that we are taking as a region and as the Commonwealth to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

I am proud that we have significantly increased funding for these oversubscribed voluntary conservation programs so that more producers like those that I represent can access them without the long wait times.

We recently hosted a farm summit in my district, and this was an area of significant concern and frankly heated discussion.

I have recently heard from Virginia cattle producers that they are seeing a rise in theileriosis cases within their herds.

I know that you have touched on this periodically throughout your testimony today, but I am really concerned about the long-term effects on our nation's egg supply.

I have heard from Virginia poultry producers that APHIS has been helpful as a partner in responding to outbreaks.

Thank you, under Secretary Moffitt, for joining us today. Dr. Naugle, thank you for being here as well.

We appreciate your consideration of the immense positive impact SNAP has on the lives of millions of Americans as well as its beneficial impact on the national economy and our nation's long-term financial sustainability.

I am committed to making sure that we are putting forth programs and legislation that feed more people, not less.

I thank you, through your ability putting forth much of what we proposed in the Butcher Block Act (H.R. 559) through USDA.

I am thrilled that the Packers and Stockyards division received a significant increase in funding in Fiscal Year 2023 to improve its enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.

We want to ensure that they are there not just for farmers who want them but for future generations of farmers.

I am concerned about not sustaining higher funding levels for these historically oversubscribed and under-funded programs in the future.

I am really proud that in the last Congress we passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which included the largest single investment in conservation since the Dust Bowl.

I appreciate your comments related to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which is something I continue to hear about from producers across my district.

And to your point, I think the investments and the return on investment that we saw in the last century, kind of what is the new frontier, the way that we can lower input costs, increase output, and support our producers.

Despite this nearly unheard of return on investment, public agricultural research funding peaked way back in 2002.