Source: US HOUSE AG COMMITTEE, 3/9/17

Today, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit held a hearing to review the rural development and energy programs in the 2014 Farm Bill. Members of the committee heard from a broad panel of witnesses who utilize rural development and renewable energy loan and grant programs, and who support rural development initiatives.

“One of the most important commitments this committee makes to producers is to help provide the support and infrastructure necessary to make a living in rural America. The work that farmers and ranchers do every day is pivotal to our survival. These rural development initiatives are key to ensuring that small, sometimes isolated, communities have basic services like clean water, reliable electricity, and phone service, as well as expanded employment opportunities. As the committee begins to craft the next farm bill, we will look for ways to improve on the initiatives in place and to grow more opportunities for rural communities,” Subcommittee Chairman Austin Scott (R-GA) said.

“American agriculture has thrived over the last century in part due to significant public investment in rural infrastructure. If we are going to maintain that success over the next century while meeting a host of new demands, we must continue to invest in strategic rural development and energy initiatives. For an inherently risky business like agriculture, these investments help connect producers with the global economy while expanding opportunities in rural communities,” House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) said.

Written testimony provided by the witnesses below.

Witness List:
Panel I
The Honorable Bob Fox, Chair, Renville County Board of Commissioners, Franklin, MN, on behalf of NACo

Mr. Dennis L. Chastain, President & CEO, Georgia EMC, Tucker, GA, On behalf of NRECA

Mr. Steve Fletcher, Manager & Operator, Washington County Water Company, Nashville, IL, On behalf of NRWA

Mr. R. Craig Cook, Chief Operations Officer, Hill Country Telephone Cooperative, Inc., Ingram, TX, On behalf of NTCA

Mr. John Duff, Strategic Business Director, National Sorghum Producers, Lubbock, TX

Mr. Jim Greenwood, CEO, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Washington DC

Opening Statement by Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit Ranking Member David Scott

The Next Farm Bill: Rural Development & Energy Programs
--As Prepared for Delivery—
“Thank you Mr. Chairman and thank you for holding this hearing today on this very important topic for so many Americans.
“I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our witnesses and especially Mr. Chastain from the great state of Georgia. Thank you all for being here today.

“The rural development and energy programs we’re going to take a look at today are, in many respects, the unsung heroes of the farm bill. While all of our farm bill programs are good for rural America, these programs specifically aim to help keep our rural economic engines running by providing new opportunities, continued progress, and assisting our most vulnerable populations.

“I’m always amazed at the breadth of our rural development programs when I look at them or hear about them from my constituents and other Georgians. These programs help keep the lights on for our rural residents, provide broadband access, give our rural businesses and entrepreneurs access to hard to find capital, help our farmers’ bottom lines, and help provide essential community facilities like emergency response, schools, hospitals, roads, and long-term care housing. It’s really remarkable to think about all we’ve tasked USDA to do and the vision needed to make these programs work.

“Our witnesses today are going to touch on some of the most important rural development and energy programs USDA is administering and how those programs are working on the ground. Even with the remarkable scope of these programs, it’s critical that this Committee take a hard look to make sure they are working the way intended and if there is anything we can do differently to help these programs work better for the folks who use them or to help better accomplish priorities on the ground. 
“Rural development touches every state and our rural areas are absolutely critical to the health of our economy and country. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today and diving into the challenges rural development is facing and the successes we’ve seen.

“I yield back.”