What farmers provide to our nation is invaluable. They put food on our tables, clothes on our backs, provide world-class goods and raw materials for export, represent a significant part of the economy in every state in the Union, and soon may be a key component in lessening America’s dependence on foreign oil. No nation can truly be free and secure unless it can provide for its own food, clothing, fuel and economic stability. So it is no exaggeration when I say that farmers are vital to America’s maintaining its role as a world power.
Yet, all too often, family farmers are taken for granted. As we enjoy the many benefits of a productive agricultural sector, we should never forget the hard work, and the risk, and the investment, and the skill required to bring these products to market. According to a 2007 study by the USDA, 98 percent of all farms are family farms. The agriculture and farming industry of our State is key to our economic recovery and viability. North Carolina remains in the top three states for the production of tobacco, sweet potatoes, Christmas trees, hogs, turkeys and cucumbers.
As few in our nation depend more on the environment for their livelihood than do farmers, I have found that few are better stewards of the environment than are farmers. Finding the balance between protecting the environment and insuring our food supply is important, and no one has a greater stake in upholding both ends of that equation than our farmers. They play a unique role in our nation, preserving traditions and a way of life that are centuries old, while developing technologies and innovations to increase production, environmental responsibility, quality and economic viability. I have seen many examples of this in my travels across the District. From the Porters in Cabarrus County to the Yaklins in Richmond County and Earl Hendrix in Hoke County, I have seen the dedication and passion farmers show for the land. I am proud to represent these, and the many others in our District, who have chosen farming as their life’s work.
Farmers continue to search for new ways to utilize their crops, such as turning them into biofuels to create sustainable, renewable, domestic sources of energy. The hard work and innovative genius of our agriculture community, including the research being done in our colleges and universities, may someday prove to be the key in establishing true American energy independence. I am committed to seeing that North Carolina and the 8th District remain at the forefront of this effort and I will continue to fight for the resources and legislation that will increase our competitiveness in these fields.
As part of a continuing effort to advance the role of our region’s agriculture in America’s energy future, I hosted the 8th District Biofuels Summit last week in Raeford. The Summit brought federal, state and local officials, business leaders, and farmers together to discuss ways to better connect the agriculture and green energy sectors so we can continue to grow both of these vital parts of our economy. American farmers have fed the world. I believe in the near future they will play a major role in fuelling the world as well.
As a member of the House Agricultural Committee, I added an amendment to the Derivatives Markets Transparency and Accountability Act, calling for more diversity on the boards which oversee commodities trading. These boards should include farmers, ranchers and grain elevator operators. All too often, these markets are run for the advantage of speculators to the harm of growers and consumers. By putting people with real world experience and real life consequences on these boards, it will increase the likelihood of a fairer trading system. Last month, I voted to amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to authorize appropriations through 2015 for state agricultural loan mediation programs. I also recently joined with Congressman Bob Etheridge to sponsor a bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide temporary compensation to North Carolina poultry producers who lost contracts when their processing plant declared bankruptcy.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has visited the 8th District twice in the last year. And while he was already aware of the key role agriculture plays in the North Carolina economy, I was very proud to introduce him to some of the farmers in the Eighth District and to have the chance to show him what our region has to offer. I will continue to work closely with Secretary Vilsack and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make sure the needs and potential of our district are fully understood.
I will continue to support a complete repeal of the estate tax, which would allow farmers to rest a little easier knowing they will be able to pass their farms and their way of life down to the next generation. It is an economic and personal crisis (not to mention a moral outrage) when a family farm, or any other small business, is forced to liquidate or assume burdensome debt in order to pay a tax that comes due at the death of a loved one. Despite my efforts, we were unable to pass a full repeal of this tax last year, but we did get a bill through to reduce the maximum taxable percentage by 10 percent, while raising the exemption from $1 million to $3.5 million for individuals and $7 million for couples. The alternative to this compromise would have allowed the exemption to remain at $1 million, preventing many farmers the opportunity to pass on their legacies which include valuable land and equipment that ends up having to be sold due to these families not having liquid assets after the investments they’ve made in their farms. While I am not pleased this tax exists at all, I am glad the rate reduction and taxable limit increase will no doubt save farms and jobs in the years to come.
Agriculture has been the backbone of America’s economy since Colonial times; and we must never lose sight of the fact that farms and farmers are an absolutely essential part of our nation’s economy, ecology, and security. I am proud to represent the 8th District’s agriculture community, and will continue to fight for their interests – and in turn, yours because after all, where would we be without our farmers.
Congressman Larry Kissell (D-N.C. -8) offices include Rockingham: 230 East Franklin St., Rockingham, NC 28379, Phone: 997-2070; Concord number (704) 786-1612; Fayetteville number (910) 920-2070; Washington office: 512 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; phone (202) 225-3715. Web site, kissell.house.gov.
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