Untitled Document

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

March 5, 2004

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge, Students Learn About Agriculture, Food Security

RALEIGH - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) and more than 70 students and teachers from around the 2nd Congressional District learned today about the threats posed to our nation's security from agro-terrorism and about research that could beef up agriculture and food security. Etheridge hosted his Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) meeting at the N.C. State College of Veterinary Medicine, where students received briefings, toured research facilities and presented their own possible solutions.

"Those of us who live in North Carolina know the importance of agriculture to our state's economy," Etheridge said. "It is a $1 Trillion a year industry that employs 1 out of every 8 people nationwide. Too many people tend to think food just comes from the grocery store. It's important to teach the next generation about the importance of agriculture and to get them thinking about ways to build a secure future. Were terrorists to strike our agricultural resources in a big way, it would become all too clear that farm security is homeland security."

Etheridge, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, is the only North Carolina member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security. In Congress, Etheridge has taken a leadership role on agro-security and food security. Recently North Carolina's State Animal Response Team, a public-private agency that grew from lessons learned during Floyd, earned a $250,000 grant from the Agriculture Department to help Colorado and other states set up similar disaster plans.

Etheridge started YAC in 2000 in response to many of the tragic incidents of school violence. Through the committee, Etheridge works to boost civic participation among teenagers and expose students to issues and environments they wouldn't otherwise experience.