[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 44 (Thursday, March 5, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING KELSEY KRUSE AND DANE KRUSE AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing two outstanding young Iowans, 
Dane and Kelsey Kruse from Silver City, Iowa. These two, brother and 
sister, are young farmers in Mills County continuing the family 
tradition on the farm. They were recently featured in a national 
advertising campaign that focused on the challenges young farmers face.
   Dane and Kelsey, or the ``Kruse Kids,'' are sixth-generation hog 
farmers that sell to Niman Ranch. Both in their early 20s, Dane and 
Kelsey are young faces in a profession where the average age is nearly 
58. As Kelsey said, ``It's becoming very difficult for younger people 
to get themselves started'' in farming.
   I know many of my colleagues agree on how important it is to support 
young farmers like Kelsey and Dane. Nothing is more critical to the 
future of Iowa's rural economy than young people returning home to 
their community and carrying on the family tradition. Too often we see 
young Iowans moving away from their communities to seek opportunity 
elsewhere.
   Not only are the Kruse Kids helping their community by returning 
home after college, they are serving as incredible ambassadors for 
rural Iowa as the focus of national attention. Earlier this year, Dane 
and Kelsey joined other young farmers and participated in the Rose 
Parade on New Year's Day to kick off Chipotle's ``Cultivate the Future 
of Farming'' initiative.
   The Kruse family hogs are raised naturally with plenty of room, fed 
a vegetarian diet, and are antibiotic free. As consumers want to know 
more about where their food comes from, the Kruse Kids, along with 
their father Jeff, are proud to show off their farm and how they raise 
their Iowa hogs.
   I'm proud to honor Dane and Kelsey as our Iowans of the Week. As 
Dane shared to millions in the commercial, farming isn't easy. But why 
does he do it? ``You can say it is in my blood, you can say I'm crazy, 
I don't know, I just like farming.''
   I hope you all will join me in recognizing Dane and Kelsey Kruse, 
along with all other young farmers across the country, and continue to 
work to ensure more kids have the resources they need to continue the 
family tradition.

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