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Agriculture
Today nearly 5,000 family farmers in Indiana’s Second District carry
on Indiana’s rich agricultural heritage. From corn, soy beans, and
tomatoes to hogs and cattle, Hoosier farmers are growing the produce and
livestock that drive our economy, strengthen our local communities, and
provide the food we eat. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee,
I will work hard to ensure that all Indiana farmers are able to bring their
products to market and remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing
global economy.
Life for family farmers is full of challenges. The rising cost of land
and energy along with unfair trade practices abroad often make it difficult
for farmers—especially family farmers—to make ends meet. As
a result, we must continue to invest in our heartland and provide our farmers
with the tools and resources they need to remain profitable while strengthening
our rural communities.
Despite these challenges, the potential within Indiana’s agricultural
community has never been more promising. As America begins to address our
over reliance on foreign sources of energy, Indiana farmers have an important
role to play in achieving energy independence. The Second District has
been blessed with the resources and capacity to serve as the center of
production and distribution for a new generation of ethanol and other bio-fuels.
As your congressman, I will work hard to ensure that Hoosier farmers are
a vital part of the solution to America’s energy needs.
With the 2002 farm bill set to expire at the end of this year, we once
again have the opportunity to provide our farmers with the resources and
security they need to remain productive and profitable. In order to best
serve the agricultural needs of Indiana, I meet regularly with local farmers.
In addition, I work closely with an agriculture working group comprised
of local farmers from the Second District, who advise me on agriculture
policy and how decisions made in Washington affect farms back home.
In the coming months, I will begin to work with my colleagues on the Agriculture
Committee to pass a new farm bill, which will provide important funding
for critical conservation programs, rural infrastructure, technological
advancement, and a more responsible safety net designed to protect small
family farms. These are exciting times for Indiana farmers, and I am honored
to represent the Second District’s agricultural community and the
many Americans who rely on their products. |
