Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today said that a new report showing that America’s rural economy is helping to drive the country’s economic recovery further illustrates the need to pass a Farm Bill before the current bill expires, to give farmers and other small businesses the certainty they need to create jobs. Chairwoman Stabenow’s remarks come following the release of a report by the White House on the agricultural economy.
“American agriculture represents a bright spot in our economy,” Chairwoman Stabenow said. “Agricultural exports are reaching record highs and American farmers and ranchers are continuing to outpace the rest of the world in productivity and efficiency. Sixteen million American jobs are supported by American agriculture, so it’s critical we pass the Farm Bill this year. We must provide farmers and small businesses the certainty they need to continue growing and helping the country’s economy recover.”
The administration’s report, Strengthening Rural Communities: Lessons From a Growing Farm Economy, was released today and can be accessed here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/rural_communities_06_11_2012.pdf.