[inaudible conversations] good morning. Members of the committee i call this hearing on agriculture and forestry to order todays marks the ninth hearing this your dedicated to stakeholders all around the country country, programs are working as we work towards a formal. This includes taking look and spending requests and proposals and do not have day budget baseline. As i said the committee must be mindful of a very tough budgetary impairment that we have to face while it is a principal duty to ensure the next farm bill provides our producers with the necessary tools and resources to feed a growing and hungry world with the responsibilities dont stop there the farm bill needs to support businesses with schools. Said and that is what the farmers and ranchers call home. We had the opportunity to hear from a number of stakeholders. Into the witness is a apologize. Looking at the electric cooperative. And then with an affordable and Reliable Energy. And with the commodities. The roll Telecom Provider in working to provide high Speed Broadband roughly the size of connecticut. I hope todays hearing to provide committees opportunity to so to have the assessment of agriculture with us at acting administrators in the role business. They will discuss his vision for Economic Prosperity negative and provide an update on Program Functions we will hear from private sector stakeholders from the rural cooperatives that work every day to provide essential utilities servicers services to whom those all over the country. A University Professor leading a state of the art Research Chemical product and with Renewable Energy assessment. Looking forward to our discussion today with those Energy Titles of the phone bill. And the recommendations to approve these programs in any other remarks they would like to make . This is such an important hearing to discuss issues with role communities all across the country and want to welcome our witnesses today. And with the Rural Economy that those who live in Rural America are facing tough economic times. But there are many opportunities to invest in the future and to help them get back. Role communities are the first to feel the effects of the economic downturn and the last to see the impact of the improving economy. Looking ahead to the next farm bill we need to think strategically to how we can achieve longterm Economic Growth. Heavily said the farm bill is a jobs bill. With that world energy title we are discussing today has a wealth of opportunity and however it important it is with that Economic Development efforts so to ensure the quality of life is very personal for me. So for the communities to thrive in the 21st century economy with access to highspeed internet is one of the top ways to make sure that happens. Usda provides critical support and capital to expand product and access we need to strengthen the tools available for gore also need to continue investing in other forms of infrastructure it is unacceptable that their small towns that cannot afford to modernize the water system to provide clean drinking water. Smallbusiness needs access to capital as well to help entrepreneurs grow businesses while also offering new Employment Opportunities for the community at large the need to continue to invest as we drive these economies forward and in michigan is the heart of the economy. That is why we created opportunities to support bio based Manufacturing Companies are creating new products and the economic benefit is to fold with manufacturing opportunities for our businesses to invest in Renewable Energy which also leads to job creation and according to a new report 92,000 Clean Energy Jobs in michigan alone. The program in america helps businesses lower utility bills by installing Renewable Energy systems to make Energy Efficiency upgrades. Innovations help us to become more energy independent. It is clear the opportunities we have created in the 2014 farm bill are helping our small towns crate 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 the progress to help Rural America reach its full potential. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman in the event i cannot get back i have a witness someone like to introduce of the second panel. First thank you and the senator for having this hearing and i have a panelist today from south dakota, a good friend who is incredibly capable general manager with a Telecommunications Copper mine negative cooperative. Is companies served in my home town of myrtle south dakota he will be 98 for my dad lives and he will be 98 per goodies spends a lot of time watching cable and on the internet and the most informed and least patient constituents because he calls me to complain whenever he sees. [laughter] but they have been around since 1916 providing services across the state with that 27 year history. Have and what makes the current job so challenging is the companys location one of the most rural areas of the country with ranch in farming operations miles apart often want to or two hours away from the city. But he keeps a large part of rural south dakota in touch with the Telecommunications Industry that most of us take for granted. Serving as a general manager will want to become then Eastern Region manager and has a bachelors degree of science in journalism and went on to received his masters in humanresources from the diversity of south dakota which means he is conflicted when it comes to the football season. Thank you for sharing your recommendations how this committee can help you improve access to broadband and rural areas. Thank you for that indulgence i appreciate having the denny here today. And a you are very busy and we urge you to keep working on tax reform on the finance committee. We will introduce of first plo businesses first currently serving as assistant to the secretary of usda World Development and an indiana native working on agriculture for over 15 years in both the house and senate and as republican chief counsel to the division of forestry and the director of agriculture for her home state where she was an adviser to the governor at that time mitch daniels. Outside of publicservice she was in private law practice of rising and agriculture in the environmental regulatory matters and is of a graduate of Kansas State University with the bachelor of science degree magna cum laude. In addition a law degree from indiana and masters from the university of arkansas. We are delighted to have been before our committee today. Welcome back. The next witness is mr. Rich davis serving as the deputy head minister for cuny programs World Development since 2010. It provides loans and grants to improve the use of girl areas and these facilities include health care and Public Safety and a variety of other projects. We thank you for your service and for being here today. Mr. Parker served as deputy administrator and works of the department of agriculture for more than 26 years and is the current capacity managing a team that provides assistance to Rural Communities in the area of research and education and statistics and fake based initiatives. That is quite a list. [laughter] fiftyfour Years Service for our last witness is the acting director of the Rural Utilities Service and oversees the operation for planning and policy focused on Rural Telecommunications and broadband and sewer systems. Thanks for being here today. Goahead. Good morning chairman and Ranking Member and members of the committee i am truly honored to discuss prosperity and roll america a passion and know that i share with each of you here today and is critical to importance. Growing up in indiana agriculture and small towns of the my life calling starting in 4h i followed my love of farming into college and law school to be an advocate for Rural America. Over the course of my career i was blessed to serve as counsel to the senate House Agriculture Committee during the 2002 permit 2008, 2014 farm bill farm bill to end in each of these chapters i have a sincere appreciation for partnerships to assist Rural Community also a deep respect for each of u. S. Chief advocates for the rural interests understate with an understanding of the monumental challenges that will meet so many needs. I will start with what you already know from the states that you represent that many are challenging and today 85 percent of those counties are in Rural America. Very few, home to the towns when they grow up. And many times there is not the access to Critical Infrastructure folks need to stay connected. Looking at these challenges challenges, we are asking what can we do to make a difference . Suggested that question i have found the best answer comes from the ground and just last week made a visit to minnesota a small city recently built a day care facility asking how the town came to make this investment and was told when any site selector comes to visit their town theyre always looking bigger, highspeed internet, good roads and rail access. We want to be partners to build prosperity. Congress has provided tools and as we look to enhance the resources the secretary has said it sold for zero priorities for our team earlier focused on partnerships and coordination leading a task force on agriculture and prosperity bringing together the federal agencies that impact Rural Communities. So with those four key issues quality of life, work force it innovation and Economic Development. Then working in strong collaboration at the state and local level. Second we are tackling infrastructure needs. Robust modern in the structure that they have proposed the creation of a new Infrastructure Fund to offer tools to respond to the needs of Rural America. Finally were focused on innovation to address the many challenges and opportunities they face. Secretary perdu announced his intention led by an innovation officer said his data policy and Trend Analysis. And to become more foreword focused. So in closing to extend a heartfelt thank you and you move forward in secretary purdue works with each of you that it is a place of prosperity for generations to come. Mr. Davis . Good morning chairman, Ranking Member and members of the committee. I appreciate this opportunity to testify today by thinking converse for ongoing support of Rural Communities. If your support rhs made a significant transformative investment in the small towns and communities those fundamental mission is to increase Economic Opportunity to improve the quality of life in Rural America. At key part of the portfolio has critically needed infrastructure. To provide Rural America to much needed capital for the options are limited or nonexistent and in recent years demand for the al long cost financing has surged in the program has experienced a ninefold increase of funding levels. Many facilities expect to utilize all of these funds and continue to maintain a strong pipeline of projects for next year. Currently the total portfolio is 8. 8 billion with a maturity invested the educational facilities and Public Safety infrastructure. And the portfolio remains strong and it will have a negative credit subsidy rate in fiscal 18. Community facilities one swelled to Current Issues facing Rural America. As you know rural towns and communities have been hit hard by the opioid crisis. To play these Important Role to mitigate the crisis to Rural America by stripping investment with mental and Behavioral Health care and other facilities that provide treatment and prevention and Recovery Support for the also continued to prioritize investment in the future of americas children by supplying day care including charter schools. Positive start to provide rural children with opportunities to further education and achievement of this Program Program strongly supports to have critical needs with other skilled professionals shortages across america. The size and complexity has grown to take a leadership role with the Publicprivate Partnership to leverage tactical expertise to leverage large complex infrastructure projects. And to serve more Rural Communities with Economic Growth and job creation and access to critical services. As we move forward r. H. Just is confident it can successfully implement the programs needed for a thriving american upper copings for the opportunity to share how we expand opportunities in Rural America to improve quality of life every day. Thank you for being on time. Mr. Parker. Senator roberts and members of the committee will development strengthens the Rural Economy through increasing access to rural areas in expanding the by an economy including supporting opportunities for biofuels and Renewable Energy. With those programs and services with partnership of private sector funding are at the forefront to improve the lives of several americans. To head to keep jobs in Rural America to help competes in the global marketplace. To a fiscal year 2017 to successfully deliver 1. 7 million of funding to help 12200500 businesses create perce 55,000 jobs. To focus to efficiently and responsibly provide services that meet the needs of Rural Americans. To remain committed with Economic Opportunities to create jobs and expanding markets and with guaranteed loan and Grant Programs but more importantly to attract Investment Capital to rural areas that may not see such investment. They continue to be a leader with Americas Energy independence and security. With the expansion of Renewable Energy projects. To administer a suite of programs for a more Sustainable Energy program. Reap is a Successful Program it promotes Energy Efficiency and development for Agricultural Producers and rural Small Businesses. Fiscal year 2017 reap will decide funding for 12 under projects costing over 100 billion debt leveraging 18 times the budget authority. And as a business modeling cornerstone in many communities with enhanced educational and Health Care Services that enables them to compete in the global economy. To create local Job Opportunities and revenues are maintained and recirculated. One of the most popular opportunities is the value added program. They may be used for planning activities and working capital for the valueadded product for farm based Renewable Energy to compete in the global economy. And committed to prosperity through improved access to Economic Development on a regional scale. We continue to examine operations to create efficiencies and seek opportunities to leverage resources. Think you for your time is an honor to be here today i hope my testimony is informative. Im sure it will. Thanks for your 26 years. Senators coming things for the opportunity to testify today in your support for Rural Electric water and broadband infrastructure through the. Host team. Halt important basic utility infrastructure is to the quality of our lives. The heroic response to utility workers to restore power or communications and water illustrates the true spirit of Rural America and the long term success that has been nurtured by this committee and usda. Investments help deliver Reliable Energy with clean save water to help