Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research

Today, Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research, held a hearing to highlight the positive and negative factors impacting cost of production. This is the third hearing in the series Focus on the Farm Economy, where each of the six subcommittees will examine the state of the farm economy from the perspective of the subcommittee. Members heard from witnesses who provided insight into different programs and pol... Read more

Remarks as prepared: Good morning. Two weeks ago, the Agriculture Committee commenced a series of hearings focused on the farm economy. Each subcommittee has been tasked with highlighting issues within their respective jurisdictions that impact the economic well-being of rural America. In the Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Subcommittee, we have spent considerable time discussing programs and policies that impact specialty crop producers. We have highlighted research, education, and ex... Read more

Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research gathered to hear a presentation by the National 4-H Conference participants concerning the future of agriculture in the United States. The National 4-H Organization is the nation’s largest youth development organization that serves to help its six million student members better understand the agriculture industry. Last year, members of the Agriculture Committee heard from 17 distinguished 4-H delegates to the ... Read more

Good afternoon and thank you all for joining us. For the past several years, youth participants in the National 4-H Conference have met with members of Congress and made presentations to federal agencies and House Agriculture Committee members and staff. Last year I had the privilege to chair a hearing where we heard from 17 distinguished 4-H delegates whose presentation highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between rural and urban areas. The Agriculture Committee will soon begin workin... Read more

Today, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research, and Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture held a joint hearing to highlight the importance of agricultural policies to protecting our national security. Members heard from representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on their joint efforts to mitigate ... Read more

Remarks as prepared: Good morning. I am pleased to be here alongside my good friend, Representative David Rouzer, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, for this joint hearing in which we will highlight efforts to defend American agriculture against the introduction of foreign pests and diseases. This hearing is the third in a series of hearings through which the Committee has been examining the significance of agriculture to our nation’s security. As Chairman of the ... Read more

Today, Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research, held a hearing to examine the opportunities and challenges producers face in direct marketing. Members heard from farmers and ranchers who shared their experiences in direct sales ventures, and how engaging in open dialogues with consumers increases transparency and builds relationships between rural and urban communities. Farmers and ranchers throughout the country are b... Read more

Remarks as prepared: Good morning and welcome. Today, we will hear from producers involved in direct marketing ventures, such as local farmers markets, direct to restaurant or grocery store sales, value added sales, and community supported agriculture. Entrepreneurial efforts of individual producers certainly drive success in direct marketing ventures. Nevertheless, as producers seek to develop new marketing channels for their products, it is important for the subcommittee to get their perspecti... Read more

Today, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a hearing to discuss USDA’s use of the Census of Agriculture authority to acquire farmer’s personal financial information. The Census of Agriculture, which is conducted every five years, is an important tool used by economists; state, local, and federal policy-makers; financial analysts; and farmers themselves. However, in January 2015, the Agriculture Committee received correspondence from fa... Read more

Remarks as prepared: Today the subcommittee will begin a public dialogue with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) regarding concerns raised by producers pertaining to a perceived abuse of discretion in conducting the Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is conducted every 5 years by NASS, the most recent census being taken in 2012. Data collected from the Census of Agriculture is incredibly important as it provides the only source of consistent, county level statis... Read more