There's no better showcase for Missouri agriculture than state and county fairs. I've had the pleasure of attending many of these events across the 9th District and was proud to be a guest at this year's Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. As a small farmer myself, I enjoy meeting with farmers and ranchers from across the state, as well as seeing first-hand the hard work and dedication of 4-H and FFA students, as they exhibit their livestock and other agricultural projects at these events.
There’s no better showcase for Missouri agriculture than state and county fairs. I’ve had the pleasure of attending many of these events across the 9th District and was proud to be a guest at this year’s Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. As a small farmer myself, I enjoy meeting with farmers and ranchers from across the state, as well as seeing first-hand the hard work and dedication of 4-H and FFA students, as they exhibit their livestock and other agricultural projects at these events.
But as many of you know, there are serious issues facing our family farmers and ranchers, and there was no shortage of fair-goers who wanted to share with me their concerns and hear my perspective on agriculture issues. There is a real sense that the futures of so many of the young people who are dedicated to agriculture face a rough road ahead.
Many of us involved in agriculture understand that increased regulation has placed a tremendous burden on agriculture. Just like the unpredictable weather we have faced this year – from record snowfall and flooding to devastating drought – the regulatory environment stemming from federal agencies in Washington is throwing some real curve balls at family farmers.
I am particularly concerned with efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten regulations on dust from farming operations. I recently joined several of my colleagues in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson outlining our concerns on potential new regulations that would negatively impact farms and ranches all over the country. While just three years into a five-year statutory review process, EPA is currently reconsidering National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground level ozone. Then there is the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issuance of “Clean Water Protection Guidance” that is nothing more than a back-door attempt to expand the size and scope of the Clean Water Act.
In order to maintain a viable agriculture sector for current and future generations, not only must we have a commonsense approach to regulation, but we also must be proactive in our trade policy in order to open new markets for the goods that Missourians work so hard to produce. The United States exports approximately 45 percent of U.S.-grown soybeans, 15 percent of U.S.-grown corn and 25 percent of our domestically produced pork. The three pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama are vital to American agriculture as they represent more than $2.5 billion in new markets for our products. U.S. agricultural exports support almost 900,000 jobs and for every dollar of goods we export, another $1.48 is created through processing, packing and shipping. A sure step toward job creation would be approval of these trade agreements, which were originally negotiated in 2007. While we sit idly, other countries have finalized agreements and are cutting into our market share. I have sent several letters to House leaders and the White House imploring them to bring these free trade agreements to the House of Representatives for a vote. It is my hope that President Obama will send these languishing agreements to Congress early this fall.
As the year continues, I will remain engaged with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers on Missouri River flood control and its impacts on family farmers. I believe the Corps currently juggles too many competing interests. Too much emphasis has been placed on recreation, habitat restoration and compliance with the Endangered Species Act instead of the protection of life and property, as well as navigation. I look forward to strengthening this working relationship with the Corps to continue to address the issues of so many who call the banks of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers home.
In this world economy, the very same 4-H and FFA students who spent this summer showing off their agricultural skills will be significantly affected by the decisions Washington makes today. These young people face a huge task ahead of them in feeding a world population that is projected to increase to 9.1 billion by 2050, requiring a 70 percent increase in agriculture production. My congressional colleagues and I must strive to find ways to help them in this mission by ensuring we have an environment that will help them flourish and making certain that American agriculture continues to be the global leader in the 21st Century and beyond.
