[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2873-H2874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN SUPPORT OF SMALL LOCAL FARMERS

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, according to the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Economic Research Service, small family farms account for 
90 percent of all U.S. farms. These farms are vital to local 
communities and economies, and they provide fresh produce for their 
local farmers' markets, farm-to-school programs, soup kitchens, and a 
host of other local consumer activity. Sales attributed to these 
farmers can total up to $12 billion annually.
  I was thrilled to see President Biden's administration, through the 
Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, recently announce $400 
million in funding to support local, regional, and socially 
disadvantaged farmers. This is dedicated funding that will go directly 
toward local producers and local and regional food systems to help 
revitalize the essential farming that makes America proud.
  I was also pleased that the administration included Secretary Vilsack 
in its new Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force. This will address the 
unfair trade practices that have allowed for cheap and unjust 
agriculture labor practices to continue at home and abroad.
  They have allowed large agriculture companies to thrive and put their 
food all over grocers' shelves, while our

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small farmers struggle to put food on their own tables. This decisive 
action to increase domestic competitiveness is what our small family 
farmers need to regain their footing and make it economically viable to 
farm for their communities and our country.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in this congratulatory note.

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