[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H2538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK

  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises to recognize the 
millions of men and women who comprise the agriculture community. I 
will remind my colleagues that this week we celebrate National 
Agriculture Week, and thus it is certainly appropriate to take some 
time to recognize the importance of U.S. agriculture and agribusiness. 
This year's theme of ``Growing Better Everyday, Generation to 
Generation,'' truly captures the forward-looking spirit of agriculture 
today.
  This Nation's farmers and food processors have continued to make 
tremendous strides in recent decades in producing and distributing food 
in an efficient manner. This efficiency is reflected by the fact that 
today 1 American farmer produces enough food for 129 people.
  In addition to providing for the needs of today, farmers also have 
the responsibility of serving as stewards of our land and water 
resources for future generations and most are excellent stewards. 
Clearly, the American agriculture community is producing what the world 
needs to survive while preserving and enhancing our natural resources 
for the future. This Member commends the many individuals in the 
agricultural community for their hard work, perseverance, vision, and 
dedication.
  The following is an excellent editorial from the Norfork (Nebraska) 
Daily News relevant to these remarks.

                   Agricultural Links Past and Future


entrepreneurial spirit continues to be a guiding force for farmers and 
                                ranchers

       As one drives through the countryside in Northeast and 
     North Central Nebraska, the sight of those familiar farms may 
     seem to be unchanged from years and decades past.
       But appearances can be deceiving. Farming is anything but a 
     static enterprise.
       Changes in technology and mechanization have profoundly 
     changed family farming operations. In 1900, for example, the 
     average farm size was 147 acres. Today, the average farm has 
     almost 500 acres. Technology is helping farmers to track 
     weather conditions through satellites and gain access to 
     information and research through the Internet computer 
     network. Computers are also helping farmers to maintain 
     detailed records, thereby boosting efficiency and 
     profitability.
       The Agriculture Council of America also points out that 
     farming is also changing in response to consumer demands. 
     Farmers and ranchers are producing meat lower in fat and 
     cholesterol to fit with today's health-conscious consumers.
       Today's hog, for example, is bred to be 50 percent leaner 
     than those produced 20 years ago. That results in retail cuts 
     at the grocery store that are 15 percent leaner. Leaner beef 
     cuts are also being produced. Meat with 27 percent less fat 
     reaches the retail case than in 1985. Farmers have also met 
     consumer demand for ethnic foods, such as corn chips and 
     tortillas, by increasing production of food-grade corn. And 
     through biotechnology, consumers can now enjoy a fresh tomato 
     that is tasty--even when out of season.
       This week marks National Agriculture Week--a yearly 
     occurrence that, for some, prompts memories of how it used to 
     be in agriculture. We're all for that. The history of farming 
     and ranching in this nation and elsewhere is an integral part 
     of where we are today.
       But National Agriculture Week is also an opportunity to 
     realize just how much farming and ranching is changing--
     thanks to the foresight, flexibility and entrepreneurial 
     spirit of those involved in production agriculture.
       This year's theme for the week is ``Growing Better 
     Everyday, Generation to Generation.'' It's so appropriate 
     because it links the past with the future, which is what 
     agriculture is all about.

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