Farming and ranching will remain the foundation of North Dakota’s economy. On the federal level, we must work with Congress to develop a farm policy that retains planting flexibility while establishing a better safety net.
Our farmers need and deserve a long-term policy and level playing field. We should phase out the state sales tax on used farm machinery and repair parts.And we also reaffirm our strong commitment to research dollars for agriculture.
Several million dollars invested in ag research can return hundreds of millions to our state’s economy through new, disease-resistant crops.
In research for agriculture and in other areas as well, our university system must help drive us forward.
Through research and development, innovation and workforce training, higher education has a major role to play in our economic development efforts.
Source: 2001 Inaugural Address
Jan 9, 2001
Create block grants for Agricultural Stewardship.
Hoeven sponsored the Western Governors' Association resolution:
The WGA would like to join the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) in proposing a new concept, one that NASDA has dubbed “A New Vision for Agricultural Stewardship.” The NASDA concept calls for the creation of a state block grant program, designed to allow states the flexibility to target resources to their specific conservation and environmental needs. Under the plan, the state departments of agriculture, in conjunction with state and local agriculture and conservation partners, develop priorities to be addressed under their block grant umbrella.
The NASDA block grant proposal promotes broad flexibility in this development, noting that the block grant can be used to address threats to soil, air, water and wildlife; or be used to meet state or federal environmental regulations; or make “beneficial cost-effective changes to cropping systems, grazing management, manure, nutrient, pest, or irrigation management, land uses,
or other measures needed to conserve and improve soil, water, and related natural resources.” The intent is to not duplicate existing programs, but to give states the ability to address areas of specific need. The funding could even be designated for use in existing state conservation or environmental programs, should a state find that’s where the most need rests.
Under the Agricultural Stewardship Program, the states would enter into cooperative agreements with USDA on an annual basis and issue annual reports to USDA regarding the progress to date and future intentions.
While Western Governors feel the program outlined above is extremely important, it must be defined broadly so that Governors may designate a lead state agency, and it must be weighed in conjunction with the need for improvements and adjustments to existing conservation and environmental programs.
Source: WGA Policy Resolution 01 - 08: Farm Bill Reauthorization 01-WGA08 on Aug 14, 2001
