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Through more than three decades of public service, Tom Harkin has been
a tireless advocate for rural America. From fighting for family farmers
to encouraging Main Street economies, he has worked to ensure the
vitality and prosperity of America's farm communities and rural areas.
This fight continues today. Rural America is uniquely positioned to
lead the transition from our country's costly and dangerous dependence
on foreign sources of energy to reliance on energy derived from clean,
domestic renewable resources. Tom Harkin has been a leader in promoting
renewable sources of energy, such as ethanol, biodiesel and wind power.
In addition, Harkin has worked to develop the bioeconomy, pushing for
greater market access for biobased products made from crops grown in
America's fields. Products from renewable sources not only promote a
healthier environment, but add value to agricultural products and
provide a lift for rural economies.
As then Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Tom Harkin passed
a bipartisan farm bill in 2002 intended to lead U.S. agriculture into
the 21st century. This legislation strengthened the farm safety
net and put forth a forward-looking array of policy initiatives that
would strengthen America's rural economy, greatly expand assistance for
farmers in conserving natural resources and invest in farm-based
renewable energy. Now, as ranking Democrat on the Committee, Tom
Harkin is working to ensure these forward looking initiatives are
accessible for U.S. farmers and rural communities. Harkin has
been fighting against efforts to repeal much of the progress made in
the 2002 farm bill in promoting renewable energy, agriculture
conservation and rural development.
Harkin has also worked to ensure America's livestock producers have
access to competitive and fair markets, commissioning investigations of
the livestock industry and USDA to ensure our nation's laws are
protecting farmers from fraud, abuse and market manipulation. And
he remains vigilant to make sure America's food supply remains the
safest in the world. Harkin is working to gain even greater access to
the world economy for America's farmers. Through working to
reduce tariffs and export subsidies, and ensuring America's trade
partners are living up to their current trade obligations, he is
seeking to increase U.S. agricultural export receipts.
Harkin will continue working to ensure America's farmers and rural
communities are prepared to thrive and succeed in a rapidly changing
global economy.
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CONCENTRATION WHITE PAPER OFFERS EVIDENCE, GUIDELINES FORM STRONGER ENFORCEMET AND LEGISLATION TO ATTACK EFFECTS OF CONSOLIDATION, VERTICAL INTEGRATION
FARM BILL INFO
HARKIN'S APRIL 2006 AGRICULTURE NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive Senator Harkin's Monthly Agriculture Newsletter
10/23/2006
HARKIN ANNOUNCES RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FOR IOWA
10/19/2006
HARKIN APPLAUDS 2006 WORLD FOOD PRIZE LAUREATES
10/13/2006
HARKIN: GAO STUDY CONFIRMS DECREASE IN FRAUD IN FEDERAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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