The harvest season is always a busy time for our nation's farmers and their families. However, this harvest season became a little more difficult for Chuck Swanson's family after he passed away unexpectedly a few months ago. Chuck left his wife and four daughters behind with over 600 acres of corn to be harvested. Neighboring farmers in Marshall, Minnesota, put off their own work to make their way through Swanson's remaining fields of this year's crops.

I would like to thank the folks of Marshall for pulling together to help the Swanson family in their time of need. The generosity of our nation's farmers and ranchers never ceases to amaze me.

http://www.keloland.com/…/farmers-combine-for-fellow-farmer…

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of those affected by this disease, this month we pay tribute to all the sisters, mothers, grandmothers and friends who were taken from us too soon. #BCAM

Today is National Pumpkin Day! To celebrate, this week’s Ag Spotlight goes to Cindy Tobeck who was named the winner of the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, last week. Tobeck, an elementary school teacher from Olympia, Washington, beat 30 competitors at Half Moon Bay’s annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off with a massive 1,910-pound pumpkin. Not only is Cindy’s pumpkin heavier than a moving trailer, a pumpkin that big could produce over 600 pies. Congratulations, Cindy! #NationalPumpkinDay

Today is National Canning Day! Canning is a method of preserving food in which the food contents are processed and sealed in an airtight container. In 1858, John L. Mason created the first standard thread cap and the glass “mason” jar to go with it. These airtight jars offered a more reliable method of preserving foods and were widely used across the country allowing homesteaders and urban populations to flourish. These jars were affordable and re-useable, which is why they have remained popular over the years. What will you be canning today? #NationalCanningDay

Photo courtesy of the USDA.

Today the Environmental Working Group released a report asserting that voluntary conservation practices employed by American’s farmers and ranchers do not result in cleaner water, cleaner air, or a healthier environment. However, the Chief of NRCS and members of this committee strongly disagree. America’s farmers and ranchers are the original and best conservationist. And the committee will continue to advocate for voluntary incentive based conservation. See Chief Weller’s statements before the committee below.

Today is the second day of the annual celebration of National 4-H week! During the first week of October, more than 6 million young people across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week. 4-H chapters across the nation will showcase the great things the organization offers young people and highlight the incredible impact they have had on their communities. 4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization and is dedicated to the growth of confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. #4H #4HGROWN

Enjoying some Southern hospitality at #TENNvsUGA with Uga X, or "Que," the UGA mascot. #godawgs

Today is National Public Lands Day! Since 1994, today is recognized as the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. This fee-free day in many federally managed lands and parks encourages visitors to not only enjoy the recreational aspects of their favorite public lands, but volunteers have the opportunity to repair trails, collect trash and participate in other maintenance projects needed around the parks. #NationalPublicLandsDay

This week’s feature for Hunger Action Month is Vinsen Faris. Vinsen testified last year before the House Agriculture Committee as a part of the committee’s hearing series, the Past, Present & Future of SNAP. He is the Executive Director of the Meals-On-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties in North Central Texas. Meals-on-Wheels operates in virtually every community in America through their network of more than 5,000 independently-run local programs.

“Today, 9.6 million seniors – or one in six – may not know from where their next meal will come. For those seniors who are most mobile and may struggle with hunger primarily as a result of limited income and access to affordable foods, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may serve as the best intervention.” #HungerActionMonth

Happy first day of Fall! #AutumnalEquinox

Thank you to all of our agricultural educators and advocates for your hard work in sharing the importance of school-based agricultural education. Happy National Teach Ag Day! Learn more about National Teach Ag Day at naae.org.

This morning, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry, chaired by Rep. Glenn Thompson, held a hearing to highlight how voluntary conservation practices have improved the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Witnesses explained how the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with farmers and local conservation districts to successfully improve water quality, habitat, and key aquatic species in the Bay area. Our farmers, ranchers, and local communities are voluntarily helping restore and protect the complex ecosystem of the Bay and the important habitats that live there. This committee will continue to advocate for voluntary conservation practices and push back against over-burdensome regulations that hinder those efforts.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly as day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and people. Peace is an integral aspect to ending hunger and food insecurity and ensuring prosperity for this country and abroad. #InternationalDayofPeace #HungerActionMonth

ICYMI: EPA says glyphosate not likely carcinogenic

http://in.mobile.reuters.com/article/idINKCN11M28X

Happy Birthday, United States Air Force! Aim High...Fly-Fight-Win. #USAF

Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to examine the potential for expanded agricultural trade between the United States and Cuba. Much of the conversation centered on the Cuba Agricultural Exports Act (H.R. 3687) and the potential for removing financing restrictions that have limited agricultural exports to Cuba. The history between the U.S. and Cuba is long and complicated. Many believe that lifting the financing restrictions on agricultural trade could improve the daily lives of Cubans while also helping American agricultural producers who are experiencing one of the greatest downturns in the agricultural economy since the Great Depression. Today’s hearing was a good step in that direction.