[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MINNESOTA'S FARMING FATHER

  (Mr. EMMER of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Oliver 
Kelley, who was born on this day in 1826. Kelley, a native Bostonian, 
realized that Minnesota was a land of great opportunity and moved there 
in 1849.
  Although he had no experience farming, Kelley became a ``book 
farmer'' and everything that he first learned about agriculture, he got 
from reading. Kelley's thirst for knowledge, great intuition, and 
progressive methods allowed his farm in Elk River to thrive.
  In 1864, Kelley became a clerk for the U.S. Bureau of Agriculture. 
Through his work, he recognized the importance of agriculture to our 
Nation and, in 1867, helped found the National Grange, a society and 
advocacy group for rural America.
  Oliver Kelley's role in agriculture led to his induction into the 
National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in 2006.
  The Kelley farm remains an important part of our community. Today, it 
is a historical property that teaches thousands of Minnesota school 
kids about agriculture.
  Minnesotans are certainly grateful for Kelley's efforts, which have 
largely contributed to agricultural success in our country, and we are 
proud to have his legacy maintained in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional 
District.

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