For Immediate Release
March 4, 2006
Contact: Josh Moenning
(402) 438-1598
Nebraska City, NE - Representative Jeff Fortenberry today outlined a vision of agricultural opportunity in his remarks at an official farm bill field hearing of the House Agriculture Committee in Nebraska City.
Fortenberry pointed to agricultural entrepreneurship, ag-based renewable energy production, and creative conservation as three emerging opportunities that will help shape agriculture and federal farm policy for years to come. Excerpts of his remarks follow:
On Agricultural Entrepreneurship:Here in Nebraska, our strong tradition of commodity production positions us well to leverage our strengths while exploring these emerging opportunities. Producers here are currently finding success by diversifying traditional farm operations with new crops and products, efficient livestock production methods that are receptive to new market demands, and new products that cater to emerging food markets.
Our rural landscapes are ripe with entrepreneurial opportunity. It will shape successful agriculture for years to come. Farm policy should recognize this dynamism and its potential to strengthen farm families, rural communities, and the preservation of resources. It should encourage entrepreneurial growth for the sake of good rural economic development and viability.
On Ag-Based Renewable Energy:I was proud to have helped pass an energy bill last year that at long last gives ethanol, biodiesel and other forms of bioenergy a seat at the national energy policy table. An expanded Renewable Fuels Standard will double ethanol production in this country by 2012. This is tremendously meaningful to Nebraska
As it has now in federal energy policy, I believe renewable energy should become a hallmark of good federal farm legislation. Rural America benefits greatly from the jobs and economic stimulation that clean, environmentally responsible renewable energy production sites bring to rural areas. And increased domestic energy production helps farmers control input costs in an age of ever increasing energy prices.
On Good Conservation Practices:Amidst trade negotiations and budget constraints, voluntary based conservation incentives receive more and more attention. Appropriate recognition of good stewardship of natural resources continues to grow. Farmers have a natural instinct to properly care for their land. This intuitive sense should continue to be encouraged by creative policies that recognize farmers who show particularly sound stewardship in maintaining the land and its resources.
On Increasing Concentration:One of the primary challenges is the increasing concentration of agricultural payments for larger farms. The current system which provides 10% of the recipients with about 70% of the payments undermines rural vitality.
Last year I introduced H.R. 4149, the Payment Limitation Integrity Act, along with Representative Herseth. The act strengthens enforcement of existing farm payment limitation regulations and closes loopholes that allow abuse. Intentional evasion of payment limits has contributed to the increasing concentration of payments, and increased consolidation and concentration in agriculture adversely impacts rural areas and farm families.
Fortenberry also said: In Nebraska, our entire state, urban and rural, benefits from a strong bond with agricultural life. We Nebraskans are rooted in the land. The values of hard work, family life, neighbor helping neighbor, and personal responsibility are found most profoundly on the family farm. Strong families and strong communities are built upon these formational values. Working to create profitable opportunities for producers will strengthen rural communities.
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