Committee Statement

 

The Honorable Frank D. Lucas

Ranking Member, House Committee on Agriculture

 

RE: Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology,
Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture hearing to review innovative approaches to rural development

 

March 31, 2009

Thank you, Mr. Chairman for holding this hearing today. First, I would like to welcome Dr. Randy Smith from Altus, Oklahoma. I am glad he could be here today representing not only the Third District of Oklahoma, but also rural community colleges, which provide a benefit to many across the country.

I appreciate the timeliness of this hearing as USDA works to implement the 2008 Farm Bill, including several new rural development programs. I look forward to hearing about how individuals, businesses, associations, and community colleges are working to bring new opportunities to small communities across the country.

Every town and city has before them the task of developing economic opportunities in the face of a global downturn. For rural communities this task can be especially challenging, even in prosperous times. Lower commodity prices combined with high inputs costs means rural areas have less with which to provide critical services and reinvest in their communities. In addition, the shift of populations to urban areas means fewer people remain to operate farms, start small businesses, and provide community services.

These are some of the challenges rural America faces. And, it is why I take very seriously our charge to create programs which will give rural communities the tools and resources they need to expand economic opportunities.

Again, I want to thank Dr. Smith as well as our other panel witnesses for their time today. I am pleased we have an opportunity to learn more about how we can improve economic development opportunities in small towns and rural areas.

 

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