Issue Position: Agriculture

Issue Position

Family farms are the backbone of our nation. My aim is to create an environment in which small farming, ranching and growing operations can be profitable and sustainable.

After meeting with members of my Agriculture Advisory Board and with other farmers, ranchers and growers from across our district, I introduced a measure to reduce the estate tax liability that hits family farms and small businesses when these enterprises are passed on to the next generation.

I believe farms have a tremendous role to play in our new energy environment, from producing biomass, such as agricultural byproducts like switchgrass, which can be used to create biofuels that will someday power our cars, to capitalizing on incentives to install wind turbines or solar panels on the property.

For far too long our nation's farm policies have been directed to support agribusiness that produces commodity crops like wheat, corn and soy. The consequences of subsidizing the over-production of crops favored by conglomerate growers while ignoring the challenges faced by small farmers have been devastating both to the environment and to family-owned farms. I have worked to include funding and grant programs for so-called "specialty crop" growers like those in the 11th district who produce fruits, nuts and vegetables. One of the effects of this funding will be to supplement school lunch programs with fruits and vegetables, encouraging children to develop healthier eating habits early on in their lives.

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