National Ag Week

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National Agriculture Week, which kicked off March 21, also known as National Ag Day.

For 50 years, this week has marked a time to honor American farm families and the essential and often unsung role that agriculture plays in all our lives.

The safe and abundant food and fiber supply that Americans rely on on a daily basis comes from hardworking farming communities across this country.

With rising input costs, market uncertainty, increasing regulations, and global supply chain disruptions, producers are facing increased hardship.

Only 2 percent of Americans are employed in the agriculture sector, yet they successfully feed our entire Nation and the world, despite the odds being stacked against them.

During this week of education and appreciation, I want to emphasize rural America, or what I like to call essential America, as the backbone of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, this year, we are reauthorizing the farm bill.

This farm bill will put producers first and aims to revitalize rural America by restoring the farm safety net, expanding market access, and much more.

National Agriculture Week is the perfect opportunity to highlight the hardworking Americans who have dedicated their lives to providing a safe and abundant food supply.

I honor their contributions to society and commend farmers and ranchers who add so much to our national culture.

Mr. Speaker, this is a week where I call on everyone to celebrate National Agriculture Week.

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