Nutrition for street to order. Todays hearing marks this committees ninth hearing this year, dedicated to enlisting listen to our stakeholders around the country on out our Office Programs are currently working or need improvement as we work towards farm bill reauthorization during this congress. This includes taking a look at spending request for proposals for 39 programs in the farm bill that do not have budget baseline. And as i said each of these hearings are committee must be mindful of very tough budgetary environment that we have to face. While it is a principal duty of this committee to ensure the next farm bill provides our nations agriculture produces with the necessary tools and resources to feed a growing and hungry world, our responsibilities and the will of the is a you not stop there. It is also critical for next farm bill works to support Rural Businesses and cooperatives and Health Clinics and schools, Renewable Energy, and biobased product manufacturers manufacturers and other essential Service Providers. They all serve as the backbone of the communities are farmers and ranchers call home. Earlier this year at our committees first field hearing in manhattan, kansas, home of the ever optimistic and fighting wildcats, we had the opportunity to from a number of stakeholders that i believe share much of the same passion and commitment to Rural America as today, to the witnesses i apologize for the lateness of the hearing. Thank you for being very patient. We listen to the manager at the electric cooperative explained w low interest Rural Utilities Service electric loans make it possible for small cooperatives to provide rural kansas with affordable and reliable energy. A kansas biofuels producer spoke about the Important RoleRenewable Energy plays in helping to create real jobs in a new market demand for a number of commodities important to all of our member states. And we heard a real Telecom Provider discussed daily challenges that she faces in working to provide highspeed broadband to area in western kansas roughly the size of connecticut. And vermont, the distinguished chairman from vermont, or the senator from vermont has departed. But with 3 million fewer people. I hope todays hearing will continue that conversation and provide our committees opportunities to hear a broader perspective of the needs throughout farm country. On our first battl bill today we pleased to the assistant to the secretary of agriculture for Rural Development and the three acting administrator for the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing service, and Rural Business cooperative service. They will discuss secretary perdue use vision for fostering growth and Economic Prosperity throughout Rural America and providing update a Program Functions within the usda Rural Development. For our second witnes point is f panels, partly, witnesses come will hear from a broad set of private sector stakeholders including references will cooperatives who work every day to provide essential Utility Services to farmers, ranchers and small towns all across the country. They include a Nonprofit Organization that provides training and other support for Small Business development, a University Professor leaving stateoftheart research in renewable Chemical Product Development and finally an entrepreneur whose Business Model is helping farmers and other Small Businesses save on energy costs to the installation of Renewable Energy systems. Again i look forward to our discussion today regarding the Role Development and Energy Titles of the farm bill and doing from eyewitnesses about their recommendations to improve these programs and provide our rural committees with the necessary and economic tools they need to grow and thrive. Its my privilege to represent senator stabenow for any opening remarks she would like to make. Thank you very much, mr. Chas hearing. This is such an important to discuss issues that are so critically important to small towns and Rural Communities in michigan and kansas, and all across the country. I want to welcome our witnesses today. Thank you for your work. Earlier this year we held a a hearing to examine the state of the farm and rural economy. There we heard loudly and clearly that those who live and work in Rural America are facing tough economic times. But we also learn that there are many opportunities to invest in the future of our small towns and Rural Communities. Create good paying jobs and keep them come and help them get back on a good track. Rural communities are often the first to feel the effects of an economic downturn, and the last to see the impacts of an improving economy. Aas a result we should be making more investments in Rural America, not less. Looking ahead to the next farm do we need to think strategically about how we can achieve longterm Economic Growth in every region of the country. Ive always said that the farm bill is a jobs bill. The Role Development and Energy Titles that were discussing today have a wealth of opportunities to provide a Bright Future for Rural America. I grew up in one of those small towns in Northern Michigan, and i know how important is that we have Robust Economic Development efforts, support for agriculture and support for business expansion. So strengthening our Rural Communities and injuring a high quality of life that young people that want to go home to is very personal for me. In order for our community is to thrive they need people to compete in the 21st century economy. Improving access to highspeed internet is one of the top ways to make sure that that happens. Usda provides critical support and capital to expand broadband access. We need to strengthen the tools available to extend highspeed internet to every corner of the country. We also need to continue investing in other forms of Rural Infrastructure. Its unacceptable that there are small towns that cannot afford to modernize their Water Systems to provide clean drinking water. Small businesses need access to capital as well. Rural Business Loans help entrepreneurs grow their businesses while also offering new Employment Opportunities for the community at large. We need to continue to invest in innovation that will keep a driving these economies for work. In michigan, agriculture and manufacturing are the heart of our economy. We dont have a middleclass and less we make things and grow things. Thats why we created opportunities in the last farm bill to support biobased manufacturing. Studies using petroleum, companies are creating new products from american grown crops. The economic benefit is twofold, new market for our farmers, and new jobs and manufacturing opportunities for our businesses. The farm bill and best in Renewable Energy which also leads to job creation. According to a new report that are now 92,000 Clean Energy Jobs in michigan alone. The popular rural energy for America Program known as we helps producers and businesses lower utility bills to installing Renewable Energy systems in making Energy Efficiency upgrades. Innovations and advanced biofuels are helping us to become more Energy Independent and pay less at the pump. Its clear the opportunities we created in the 2014 farm bill are helping our small towns. Create jobs and support communities where parents want to raise their children. As we begin work on the next farm bill i look forward to building on that progress to help Rural America reach its full potential. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I think the senator. Mr. Chairman . The distinguished senator is recognized. Mr. Chairman, in the event i can get back i have what is i like to introduce, is a possible . On the second panel. I think thats certainly possible. Mr. Chairman, i just want to first off thank you and senator stabenow for having this hearing picked this is important title in the farm bill, and i have a panelist today from south dakota, a good friend, denny law, and credibly capable general manager and golden west telecommuters and cooperative which is headquartered in wall south dakota. His company serves my hometown of myrtle south dakota where my dad still is. He will be 98 in december. He spent a lot of time watching cable and on the internet, and is probably one of the most informed and least patient constituents because [laughing] inevitably he calls me to complain about whatever it is he saying that we are doing. But golden west is been around for long time since 1960. They provide telephone, internet and Cable Services across the state and denny has a 27 year history in the industry, all in south dakota serving both east and west river. What makes his current job as ceo of golden west so challenging is his Companies Location in one of the most rural areas of the country with rancho from operations position miles apart and often one to two hours from a larger city like rapid city. Yet he has managed to meet the rope broadband charges by developing reliable broadband in this area providing access for jobs, education and healthcare. He is help keep a large part of rural south dakota in touch with incessant and that of its of the Telecommunications Industry that most of us in other parts of the country take for granted. He asserted as your manager of Sioux Valley Telephone Company in dell rapids south dakota and went on to become the east region manager at gold west industries ceo of golden west since 2008. Yes batches degree in science and journalism from South Dakota State University went on to receive his masters and administer study in Human Resources from university of south dakota which means hes very conflicted when it comes to the football season. I want to thank him for appearing before this committee and for sharing your recommendations on how this committee for the next farm bill can help you and your company improve access to broadband in rural areas. So welcome and i thank you, mr. Chairman fat indulgence. Appreciate having denny law here today. I know youre very busy, and urge you to keep looking working on tax reform, a very important member of the finance committee, a special behalf of the amendment as a cell is south dakota, or the robertssoon an imminent as its known in kansas. We will introduce the first panel of witnesses today. His anne hazlett, currently serves as assistant to the secretary for usda Rural Development. An indiana native, she has worked on agriculture and rural issues for over 15 years. Working in both the u. S. House and senate, anne has most was late so does republican chief counsel for the Senate Committee on agriculture, nutrition for street in addition to Public Service in washington. Anne strike of agriculture for her home state where she manages the Indiana State Department of agriculture and was an advisor to the governor at that time, governor mitch daniels. On agriculture and also world issues. Outside of Public Service anne was in private law practice where she advised clients on agriculture and environmental regulatory matters. She is a graduate of kansas state university, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor science degree and agriculture communications. In addition she holds a law degree from Indiana University and a masters degree in agriculture law from the university of arkansas. Anne, we are delighted to have you before committee today. Welcome back. The next witness is mr. Richard davis, rich has been serving as a deputy administrator for committee programs in Rural Development since august 2010. The committee programs provide direct and guaranteed loans and grants to help our Rural Community development improve their essential committee facilities for public use in rural areas if the facilities include healthcare, schools, folk saint and a bride of other project types. We thank you for your service and thank you for being here today. Join us next is chad parker. Mr. Parker serves as deputy administrator for cooperative programs and work in the department of Agriculture Rural Development for more than 26 years. In his current capacity he manages a team that provides assistance to Rural Communities in the areas of cooperative development, research and education, cooperative statistics, regional Strategic Planning and placebased initiatives. Thats quite a list, hard to pronounce all those things. Thank you for your service. Our last witness on the spell is mr. Christopher mclean. The acting director of the Rural Utilities Service, our u. S. He oversees the operations of the planning policy and finance agency focused on Rural Electric telecommuters and broadband, water and sewer systems. Thanks to all the witnesses for being here today. Anne, why dont you kick off . Good morning, chairman roberts, Ranking Member stabenow, members of the committee. Im truly honored with this opportunity to discuss prospered in Rural America. A passion i know i share with each of you here today at a topic that is of critical importance as you write the next farm bill. Growing up in indiana, agriculture and small towns have been my life scalding. Starting in the Forage Program as a young girl i followed my love of farming and rural places to collagen into law school so i could be an advocate for Rural America. Over the course of my career i didnt bless to serve as counsel to both the house and Senate Agriculture committees during drafting of the 20022008, 2014 farm bills. I had a chance to represent the rural interest of my home state as director of agriculture. Each of these chapters ive developed a sincere appreciation for the role of policy and partnerships in assisting Rural Communities craft and execute a vision for the future. I have a deep respect for each of you as chief advocates for the rural interest understates and an understanding of the monumental challenges that you face in writing a single bill that will meet so many different needs. As you prepare to begin running the next farm bill i will start with what you already know for many of the states that you represent, which is the fact that conditions in many Rural Communities are incredibly challenging. Today, 85 of the forced towns in america are in rural areas. When kids get older and look to begin their careers, very few come home to the towns in which they grew up. And many small towns there simply enough access to Critical Infrastructure that folks need to stay connected to a modern economy. When you look at these challenges whether in kansas or michigan, north dakota or indiana, we are asking what can we at usta due to make a difference to help build prosperity in these treasured places. Enhancing that important question i have found the best and just come from the ground outside of d. C. Just last week i made a visit to minnesota, a small city that built a day care facility asking how the town had come to make this forwardlooking investment. I was told by local official that the reason was simple. When in sight selector comes to visit their town, they are always looking for for things he told me. Day care, highspeed internet, good roads, and rail access. At usda Rural Development would want to be a partner to committees like