America's farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our country. On National Agriculture Day, we are thankful for our farmers in Georgia, Washington, and everywhere in between.
Agriculture is a part of every aspect of American life. From the food on our kitchen tables to the clothes we wear and the values we hold, this industry is ingrained in the very fabric of our nation. America's farmers and ranchers dedicate their livelihoods to ensuring that our nation is fed, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their hard work.
Agriculture is the center of rural American communities and the economy. Today, the agriculture industry makes up roughly five and a half percent of the overall U.S. economy and contributes around $1.4 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). In states like Georgia, agriculture is the number one industry, contributing over $80 billion to the state's economy each year. Agriculture is a major industry in Washington as well, where it contributes nearly $50 billion to the state’s economy and contains 70% of America’s apple production.
Hard work, resilience, and innovation are the driving forces behind our farmers and ranchers as they strive to meet the needs of this country and the world. These values have been showcased throughout American history and have set the example for American exceptionalism.
As Members of Congress who recognize the significance of American agriculture, we work daily to elevate agriculture and remove the barriers to success for our farmers. Unfortunately, many officials in the Biden Administration believe they know better than the farmers they regulate.
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Our farmers across the nation are struggling with increased input costs after the administration's many efforts to enforce backward and burdensome regulations on those who are the best stewards of our land. While the Biden Administration claims to support our farmers and ranchers, they actively make it more difficult for our farmers to do their jobs in this economy. From devastating tax proposals to invasive regulatory rules and complete indifference to prioritizing fair trade for American goods, it is clear rural America is on the back burner for this administration. The agricultural sector faces enough challenges with volatile markets and sky-high input costs; the last thing they need is the federal government getting in their way.
Today, on National Agriculture Day, we commend the men and women who keep our country running. And while National Agriculture Day is just one day a year, their hard work never stops. As members of the Congressional Western Caucus, a group of over 100 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives committed to serving as the voice for rural America on Capitol Hill, we will continue fighting for American agriculture and those unique values that have made the United States the breadbasket of the world.
Dan Newhouse represents Washington’s 4th Congressional District and serves as chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.
Austin Scott represents Georgia’s 8th Congressional District and is the Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
