Agriculture
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Agriculture is extremely important to me and the work I do every day as your Representative.  As a Member of the House Committee on Agriculture and Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture, I have had the distinct honor of working with a variety of agricultural groups and organizations.  From these daily meetings, my respect and gratitude for the agriculture sector has grown immensely.  The United States helps feed, fuel, and cloth the world through our agricultural contributions. 

Agriculture has fostered numerous innovations and industries that help drive the American economy.  Several universities, including the University of Illinois, have entire schools dedicated solely to research within the agriculture community.  They research advanced drainage systems, new fuels from biomass, and ways to create traits in crops to make them more drought and insect tolerant.  These initiatives provide growth in rural communities, make America more competitive overseas, and allow us to produce more crops with less impact on the environment. 

Farming is an extremely expensive endeavor; many farmers in Central Illinois spend tens of thousands of dollars just to purchase seed for the next crop.  Agriculture, unlike other employment opportunities in the United States, is impacted by the uncontrollable forces of nature.  Through the Farm Bill, the federal government provides a method to protect farmers against natural disasters and unforeseen market disruptions, such as insect infestations.  These programs, just like any other federal program, must be scrutinized to ensure they are fulfilling their mission in the most cost effective manner. 

During these tough economic times, agriculture has been the bright spot in our economy.  In 2010, agricultural products consisted of $115.8 billion, or about 10%, of our total exports.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to find savings in the Farm Bill, while maintaining the core programs farmers rely on to ensure a bountiful harvest for Americans year in and year out.