"I hope the committee can be involved to whatever end is appropriate in ensuring that you all can into the future recruit to the staffing levels that are necessary."
"Thank you very much."
"I hesitate to say, 'in these unprecedented times,' but it goes without saying that the ways NRCS operates and serves stakeholders and landowners across the country look different these days."
"Iowa has suffered a rare derecho which swept across the Midwest."
"The recommendations to destroy a crop or try to harvest it, it is going to be a trail of tears."
"I also want to make sure that farmers are part of any climate-focused efforts in Congress and that our farmers have buy-in as well."
"We have all seen the footage from California, Oregon, and Washington. It is surreal, and it is terrifying."
"I want to talk today about what we can do to meet the needs and face the challenges presented by this unprecedented wildfire season."
"Climate change is real, it is here, and the failure of this or any committee in Congress to take action will have real human costs."
"Thank you for joining us here in Washington and online today for this critical hearing on the wildfires ravaging the western United States."
"We've all seen the footage from California, Oregon, and Washington. It's surreal and it's terrifying."
"We have to keep their safety and their needs foremost in our minds."