Agriculture

The long-term success of American agriculture depends on robust access to new and developing markets. As the breadbasket to the world, our farmers grow and raise far more product than we can consume and use here at home. Therefore, we must actively work to open new export markets for American agriculture and eliminate trade barriers – both tangible and intangible – that prevent our agricultural goods from reaching foreign markets.

This week is National Agriculture Week – a time to recognize, celebrate, and thank the hardworking men and women who feed and fuel our country and the world. Our farmers and producers work long hours in all kinds of weather to grow and raise the food that we put on our tables, the feed that we use for our livestock, and the fuel that we put in our cars, trucks, and tractors. We retain the cherished status as the breadbasket to our country and the world because of the sacrifice, dedication, and long-held traditions of our farmers and their families.

We’re all familiar with the grief and pain that comes with losing a loved one. Whether a death is unexpected or occurs after a long battle with an illness, families must make funeral arrangements, settle an estate, and manage any outstanding personal or business debts. The last thing families need is an enormous tax bill – known as the death tax – from the federal government after a family death.

As any taxpayer knows, the federal government never misses an opportunity to tax income, assets, earnings, or real estate. Family farms, small businesses, and other multigenerational enterprises – which sacrifice and invest their time, talent, resources, and energy into their operations – are often the target of the Internal Revenue Service’s army of auditors.

The Farm Bill is an important investment in our hardworking farmers and producers, the competitiveness of American agriculture, and the strength of our economy. From trade, energy, and conservation to crop insurance, rural development, and access to affordable credit, every title of the Farm Bill touches a critical component for agriculture and our rural communities.

Agriculture is the economic engine of Iowa. When our farmers and producers are successful, our economy grows, our main streets thrive, our businesses invest in new employees and finance expansions, and our rural communities grow stronger. As is obvious from our endless fields of corn and soybeans and our countless hog, cattle, and poultry operations, we grow and raise more than we can consume and sell in Iowa – or even our country.