Farm Policy in 110th Congress

Farm Policy in 110th Congress

America's agricultural abundance launched an historic feast of thanksgiving in 1621 between the colonists and Native Americans. Giving thanks for a plentiful harvest foreshadowed America's berth as breadbasket to the world. Eventually President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed in 1863 a national day of thanksgiving to observe bountiful harvests and honor good stewardship of the land.

Today most people don't stray too far from tradition when planning the menu. But a dwindling percentage of people in this country has a direct tie to the harvest that produces the delicious, wholesome foods found on the holiday table.

Modern American agriculture certainly has come a long way since the first colonial harvest. But some fundamentals stay the same. Farmers still remain at the mercy of Mother Nature. And responsible stewardship of the land is essential to guarantee the nation's food security and the prosperity of farm families for generations yet to come.

As Iowa farmers wrapped up the fall harvest, federal lawmakers convened to wrap up unfinished business of the 109th Congress. As a farmer-lawmaker, I make it my business to serve as a strong voice for American agriculture in Washington.

Whether trouble-shooting regulators at the USDA, EPA or IRS or educating urban-oriented lawmakers on Capitol Hill, it is no secret this U.S. Senator knows how to grease a combine, tend livestock and market grain and livestock. Having farm dirt underneath my fingernails brings credibility to the policy table. I understand how federal farm policy impacts a farm family's livelihood and way of life in Rural America.

Shortly after the New Year, the 110th Congress will convene under new majority leadership. I look forward to advancing a bipartisan agenda that will help family farmers get a fair shake in the marketplace at home and globally; promote bio-based, home-grown fuels to grow America's energy independence; expand opportunities for beginning farmers; and, facilitate rural development efforts that help farm communities finance their infrastructure needs and compete for economic opportunities that create jobs and enhance the quality of life in rural America.

Just consider the budding ethanol industry flourishing in Iowa and across the Midwest. As a long-standing champion for renewable energy in the U.S. Senate, I have stared down efforts by Big Oil to pull the rug out from ethanol and spearheaded significant tax policy victories to keep ethanol a competitive, clean-burning, renewable fuel alternative for American consumers. I fought for the Renewable Fuels Standard that will help displace 7.5 billion gallons of petroleum with ethanol by 2012.

Iowans may rest assured I will continue advancing initiatives at the federal level to keep Iowa on track to pioneer bio-based, home-grown energy, including development of cellulosic ethanol production from farmer-grown biomass, such as corn stover, switchgrass and wheat straw. In 2000 I helped create a new funding stream to help jump-start promising agribusiness opportunities in rural areas. My Value Added Producer Grants are helping to boost Iowa's bio-fuels industry and get other economic ventures off the ground in our farm communities. In the next Congress, I'll continue to support farmer- and locally-owned ventures that keep the profits in hometown communities and boost commodity prices for local farmers.

When a new farm bill is considered, I'll go to the mat once again to put more reasonable limits on federal farm payments to help give mid-sized and smaller family farmers a fair shake. I'll work to enact an annual $250,000 payment limit and eliminate the three-entity rule that essentially serves as a way for some to triple-dip from Uncle Sam's farm safety net.

My congressional oversight duties also will zero in on the USDA's implementation of the mandatory price reporting law to see that independent livestock producers have reliable information to help get a fair shake at the slaughterhouse gate. Along those same lines, I'll maintain a wary eye on packer ownership of livestock and examine potential anti-competitive practices that harm independent producers.

As Iowa's senior U.S. Senator, I'm committed to help family farmers add even more value to the cornucopia of commodities they harvest every year. Expanding the bio-fuels industry in Iowa will help farmers earn more from the marketplace and contribute to America's food and energy security.

Let us give thanks as we count our blessings with family and friends this holiday season. We are fortunate to live in the land of plenty whose agricultural abundance graces our table and homes with affordable food and fiber. Let us give thanks to the farmers and workers whose labors all along the food chain keep us clothed, fed and "fueled" throughout the entire year.

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