Agricultural News
Retired Army Major General Ron Sholar Lead Witness in House Ag Committee Hearing on Connection Between Ag Policy and National Security
Thu, 07 Jul 2016 16:28:52 CDT
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Thursday to examine the on-the-ground experiences of former military leaders and the connection between agricultural policy and national security. This is the fifth hearing in the committee's hearing series focused on national security. Members heard from a panel of former military leaders who described how the United States' investment in transportation and infrastructure, agricultural research and innovation, and risk management tools for farmers has led to a vibrant and stable agricultural industry in the U.S., which is inexplicably linked to our national security. The panel also cautioned that an insufficient focus on agriculture has led to detrimental effects on the security and stability of countries around the world.
One of those presenting testimony was Major General James R. Sholar, retired from the US Army. Dr. Sholar was a professor for many years at Oklahoma State University as the Extension Oilseed Specialist for the state of Oklahoma, focusing on peanut production and today continues to serve the ag industry as the Executive Director of the Great Plains Canola Association and the Oklahoma Oilseed Commission.
Dr. Sholar's testimony can be heard by clicking on the Listen Bar below.
House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway says "A strong military and sound agricultural policies are pillars of our national security. The men and women of America's armed services regularly witness food insecurity around the world, and today we heard from former military leaders who shared their accounts of the tremendous instability that occurs in countries where agriculture development is not a priority. The United States is consistently ranked as one of the most food secure nations in the world, which is why it's important we understand the factors that threaten national and global markets. Sound farm policy is, and continues to be, an integral piece of our ability to prevent food insecurity in this country. I want to thank our panel for sharing their on-the ground experiences and giving us an enhanced global perspective of the importance of maintaining and protecting a safe food supply."
Click here for the news release from the House Ag Committee website, which has links to the written testimony and the archived webcast of the hearing.
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