Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 - Introduced PAG LIN 1 1 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 2 BY JOHNSON and FRAISE 1 3 (COMPANION TO LSB 2831HH BY MERTZ) 1 4 A Concurrent Resolution relating to recommendations 1 5 proposed by the United States Department of 1 6 Agriculture for the federal farm bill of 2007. 1 7 WHEREAS, agricultural production serves as the 1 8 foundation of this nation's economy, provides abundant 1 9 supplies of nourishment to the people of the United 1 10 States and the world, and results in billions of 1 11 dollars of annual United States exports to world 1 12 markets; and 1 13 WHEREAS, the State of Iowa is one of the most 1 14 productive agricultural states in the nation, bringing 1 15 this abundance forth from the most fertile soils in 1 16 the world, and is one of the leading grain, fiber, and 1 17 livestock producers in the world; and 1 18 WHEREAS, the United States Congress has 1 19 traditionally supported agricultural production by 1 20 setting target prices and providing support payments 1 21 to ensure market security and stability, by providing 1 22 an adequate safety net to protect producers of 1 23 commodity crops from market recessions, and by 1 24 providing insurance against losses related to price 1 25 fluctuations; and 1 26 WHEREAS, the rich and fertile soils, woodlands, and 1 27 waters of the United States, including Iowa, have been 1 28 traditionally protected by Acts of Congress, and must 1 29 continue to be preserved for future generations of 1 30 Americans; and 2 1 WHEREAS, conservation policies are critical to the 2 2 ability of farmers and ranchers to meet public 2 3 expectations for water quality and environmental 2 4 enhancement within a framework that supports this 2 5 nation's farms and ranches; and 2 6 WHEREAS, American agricultural producers must 2 7 compete in both domestic and international markets, 2 8 and accordingly require proper government policies in 2 9 order to remain competitive vis=a=vis heavily 2 10 subsidized foreign producers; and 2 11 WHEREAS, the development of this nation's rural 2 12 communities is critical to the infrastructure of the 2 13 United States economy; and 2 14 WHEREAS, off=farm employment and income are 2 15 increasingly crucial to the livelihood of this 2 16 nation's farmers and ranchers, and; 2 17 WHEREAS, it is vital to improve this nation's rural 2 18 areas through funding for infrastructure and job 2 19 growth; and 2 20 WHEREAS, renewable fuel sources have emerged as the 2 21 primary and most promising solution to reducing this 2 22 nation's dependency on the petroleum resources of 2 23 other nations, as well as creating growth in the 2 24 agricultural economy of Iowa and the United States; 2 25 and 2 26 WHEREAS, young farmers are the next generation of 2 27 American agriculture and must therefore be supported 2 28 as the seeds of our future; and 2 29 WHEREAS, the United States Congress will begin 2 30 drafting the federal farm bill of 2007, which will 3 1 have substantial impact on farmers and ranchers 3 2 throughout the nation, including farmers in Iowa; NOW 3 3 THEREFORE, 3 4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF 3 5 REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, That the General Assembly 3 6 urges the United States Congress to fortify the 3 7 federal farm bill of 2007 by ensuring the continued 3 8 support of an adequate, market=driven safety net for 3 9 American agricultural producers which is structured in 3 10 a manner that ensures the equitable distribution and 3 11 consistency of support between the different 3 12 agricultural commodities and production methods; and 3 13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the federal farm bill 3 14 of 2007 support crops primarily produced in Iowa and 3 15 the other midwestern states, which are among those 3 16 with the greatest potential growth in production and 3 17 demand, with support provided in proportion to their 3 18 production and their value to the United States 3 19 economy; and 3 20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the federal farm bill 3 21 of 2007 support the stewardship of agricultural land 3 22 by the expansion of land=retirement programs and other 3 23 programs which encourage practices that minimize the 3 24 environmental impacts of crop production; and 3 25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Congress increase 3 26 conservation payments to farmers and ranchers who 3 27 practice conservation=oriented production; and 3 28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the federal farm bill 3 29 of 2007 provide for increased market access to and 3 30 market development of American products; and 4 1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the federal farm bill 4 2 of 2007 include provisions that spur accelerated rural 4 3 development through funding for infrastructure and job 4 4 growth in the rural areas of the United States, 4 5 including Iowa; and 4 6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the federal farm bill 4 7 of 2007 provide rural development strategies to ensure 4 8 that rural communities contribute to the United States 4 9 economy; and 4 10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the rural development 4 11 title of the federal farm bill of 2007 include funding 4 12 and technical assistance for rural utilities and the 4 13 expansion of utility services to rural communities; 4 14 and 4 15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the federal farm bill 4 16 of 2007 stimulate the expansion of renewable fuel 4 17 production and development through broadening economic 4 18 support for both current technologies and resources, 4 19 and the development of new technologies and resources; 4 20 and 4 21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the federal farm bill 4 22 of 2007 stimulate the use, manufacture, and transport 4 23 of renewable fuels including biodiesel and 4 24 ethanol=blended fuels by providing for payments 4 25 allocated directly to the producers of the respective 4 26 grains or biomass products, as well as to those 4 27 persons who convert grains or biomass products to 4 28 usable energy; and 4 29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the federal farm bill 4 30 of 2007 continue or expand and fully fund the United 5 1 States Department of Agriculture's programs to assist 5 2 beginning farmers; and 5 3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of 5 4 this Resolution be sent to the President of the United 5 5 States; the President of the United States Senate; the 5 6 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; 5 7 the chairperson of the United States Senate Committee 5 8 on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; the 5 9 chairperson of the United States House of 5 10 Representatives Committee on Agriculture; the 5 11 Secretary of the United States Department of 5 12 Agriculture; and the members of Iowa's congressional 5 13 delegation. 5 14 LSB 2831SS 82 5 15 da:rj/cf/24.1 1