Agriculture
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As a former state legislator and friend once told me, "Mark, if you eat, you're in agriculture." Truer words were never spoken, and I have always kept them in mind. From the orchards and open ranges on the Western Slope to the dairies, farms and ranches on the Eastern Plains our farms and ranches are a critical part of Colorado's economy and identity. Coloradans in our rural communities have a keen interest in federal policies that affect the development of rural towns and support the work of Colorado’s farmers and ranchers. Agriculture policy not only affects what we eat, it also protects against the inherent risk that producers assume as they operate at the will of Mother Nature – and that helps ensure the vibrancy of rural America.
The 2012 Farm Bill
The primary way the U.S. Congress sets agriculture policy is through what is commonly known as the Farm Bill. This legislation guides federal nutrition programs, rural development, conservation, forestry management, agricultural research and other efforts that encourage good stewardship of important natural resources.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry is charged with producing the 2012 Farm Bill to fund many important programs that will expire on September 30, 2012. While we need to look for ways to responsibly trim unnecessary government spending, I strongly believe we can do so in a way that supports the valuable programs that protect the viability of American farming. We must find a way to strengthen rural communities and provide a robust system to support farmers and ranchers. For more information on the 2012 Farm Bill, I encourage you to visit the Senate Agriculture Committee’s website at www.agriculture.senate.gov.
Renewable Energy and Agriculture
Bioenergy developed from farm waste and other sources, along with energy harnessed from the wind, hold exceptional promise for farmers and ranchers looking for potential new sources of income. While many people will benefit indirectly from the clean air, energy security, and economic growth generated by wind power development and bioenergy, farmers can benefit directly. Renewable energy production can provide farmers with an important economic boost, helping them keep their land in agriculture while contributing to America’s energy independence.
Conservation and Keeping Farm Land in Agriculture
As chairman of the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee and as an avid outdoorsman, I am also keenly aware of the importance of land conservation in agriculture and the value of conservation programs administered by the USDA to farmers and ranchers. The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency currently administer over 20 voluntary programs and subprograms to farmers and ranchers who want to implement conservation practices on their agricultural land. These programs provide incentives and technical assistance for conservation practices that not only help farmers produce better yields and improve farm income, but also enhance habitat for wildlife, protect wetlands and critical water resources, help to improve soil management and reduce the environmental impact of on-farm activities. It is important that we look for ways to make these programs work better for farmers and ranchers, while making certain they continue to serve a valuable purpose in fostering strong stewardship of the land.
Press Coverage:
- No limit on amount of potatoes
Eric Brown, The Greeley Tribune - First Lady says eat potatoes for lunch
Lauren Krizansky, Valley Courier - An epidemic searching for a cure: No easy solutions for obesity
Editorial, The Daily Camera - SLV growers glad about school lunch reprieve
Matt Hildner, The Pueblo Chieftain
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Protecting Critical Watersheds
The two most devastating Colorado fires this season, High Park and Waldo Canyon, burned more than 100,000 acres and led to the catastrophic loss of property and regrettably loss of life. Now as Coloradans pick up the pieces, the burned and barren areas present an additional threat. Without site rehabilitation and restoration, the watersheds that provide municipal and agricultural water supplies are at risk from landslides, flooding and erosion, which could result in serious infrastructure damage, water supply disruptions and even loss of life. This is why I filed an amendment to funding legislation that would provide additional emergency funds for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. This program provides funding and technical support to restore and stabilize soil in critical watersheds in the aftermath of severe wild fires and other natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes - which is also important to many Americans in our coastal states. Though my amendment was not included, I will continue to fight to protect critical watersheds across our state and won't stop until Colorado receives the support we desperately need.
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Working to Provide Relief for Farmers and Ranchers facing Drought
This summer, in light of ongoing drought and extreme conditions throughout Colorado, I urged the Obama administration to make every effort to provide relief to farmers and ranchers facing losses as a result of drought. In addition, I have strongly supported the passage of a 2012 Farm Bill, which includes authorization of critical tools farmers and ranchers use to manage risk-from invasive pests, to volatile commodity prices and adverse weather events like this summer's drought. Though the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan Farm Bill (S.3240) and the House Agriculture committee reported a separate bipartisan bill out of committee, it awaits full consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. I'll continue to fight for a five year farm bill that will provide the certainty farmers and ranchers need to operate.
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Protecting Forest Health
I championed legislation in the Senate to ensure that Colorado's forest managers have the resources they need to be stronger stewards of a vital and critical resource in our state. The bark beetle epidemic has killed approximately 41.7 million acres of trees throughout the western United States. As a result of a bipartisan amendment that I offered during consideration of the 2012 Farm Bill, we are in a stronger position to ensure that forestry health officials can head off the problem of insect infestation before it decimates more trees in watersheds and other critical areas of Colorado and the West.
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Fighting for the Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers
The future of agriculture is dependent upon empowering the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and we must encourage young Americans who have an interest in farming to enter this critical field. While there is no silver bullet, I offered an amendment during Senate consideration of the 2012 Farm Bill that could help new farmers and ranchers find the resources and technical assistance needed to access land from retiring farmers so that agricultural lands can stay in production. While my amendment was not included in the final bill, I will continue to support efforts to support America's newest farmers and ranchers.
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Ensuring School Lunch Rules are Flexible and Balanced
Encouraging kids to get active and make healthy eating choices should be priorities as we combat the growing child obesity problem, which is why I have backed legislation, such as the Healthy Kids from Day One Act, to promote physical activity and healthy eating. I led a bipartisan effort to prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture from imposing overly rigid restrictions on the vegetables that schools can serve at meals. School lunch providers in Colorado told me that this restriction will result in significant challenges for food service operations through higher costs, reduced flexibility and fewer students participating in school meal programs. The law, signed on Nov. 18, 2011, now allows schools working within already tight budgets the flexibility to provide nutritious meals – including starchy vegetables like peas, corn and potatoes that are cooked in a healthy way – and teaching kids healthy eating choices.