Reps. Fortenberry and Osborne Host Agriculture Forum at Northeast Community College Ag ComplexThird Stop on First District Ag Fly-Around Focuses on Import of Training

NORFOLK, NE - Congressmen Jeff Fortenberry and Tom Osborne, both members of the House Agriculture Committee, continued a day of agriculture and federal farm policy discussions around the first congressional district by hosting an agriculture forum at Northeast Community College (NCC) Ag Complex this afternoon. The First District Ag Fly-Around, focusing on growing Nebraskas agricultural opportunities, began this morning with stops in Lincoln and Beatrice and will conclude in South Sioux City.

There are three exciting opportunities emerging for Nebraskas next generation of farmers entrepreneurship, ag-based energy, and conservation, Fortenberry said. Northeast Community College provides the kind of agricultural leadership that will be instrumental in growing Nebraskas agricultural opportunities. The range of agricultural vocational programs offered here promises to promote diverse and vibrant rural economies.

The Congressmen toured the Ag Complex prior to holding a public forum. The new facility at NCC hosts vocational training programs and AA degrees in a range of fields, including dairy technician certification, diversified agriculture, agronomy, and animal science. It is the future home of the ethanol plant workers training program.

Congressman Osborne and I are pleased that Congress has finally passed a comprehensive energy plan that relies heavily on renewable fuels, Fortenberry said. Nebraska is uniquely situated to capitalize on the new 7.5 billion gallon renewable fuels standard, and training programs like the one at NCC will guarantee that we have the skilled workers to fill key positions.

Agriculture Committee colleagues Fortenberry and Osborne teamed up for Tuesdays First District Ag Fly-Around in order to explore new ways to grow opportunities in Nebraska Agriculture.

Departing from Lincoln after an early-morning event at the Food Processing Center at UNL, the Congressmens itinerary included Conservation Security Program contract signing at L & L Farms in Beatrice; the forum at the Ag Complex in Norfolk; and a visit to Cardinal Farms, a Hydroponic Tomato facility in Dakota City.

Our strong commodities tradition is also giving rise to new opportunities, Fortenberry said. Our stops today highlight the value of training and shared insights, entrepreneurial diversification, and the spirit of conservation that only comes from a farmers close dependence on the land.

This day gives Congressman Osborne and I a chance to celebrate the values that will keep our rural communities vibrant, Fortenberry said. Our family farms possess the resources to keep our agricultural economy strong, and it is our job in government to provide public policies to create a climate in which these opportunities are multiplied.

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