LINCOLN, NEB. Governor Pete Ricketts has been designated a Friend of Agriculture by NEFB-PAC, Nebraska Farm Bureaus political action committee. Ricketts, who is seeking re-election to serve a second term as governor, received the designation based on his efforts to support and grow Nebraska agriculture on numerous fronts, according to Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson.
Growing markets for our agricultural commodities is critical to Nebraska farmers and ranchers. Nearly a third of our states agriculture cash receipts come from agriculture exports. Governor Ricketts has proven time and again that he knows how important trade is to Nebraska and he has worked hard to build international relationships and expand market opportunities for the crops and livestock we produce right here in our state, said Nelson. Whether its leading trade missions or mapping out a strategic plan for growth through the Governors Council for International Relations, the governor has made trade a top priority in his administration to the benefit of the states farm and ranch families.
In addition to trade, Nelson pointed to several other areas where Ricketts has acted to support Nebraska agriculture, including:
- Ricketts ongoing support for biofuels, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and Nebraskas ethanol industry; which is a key component of Nebraskas highly successful corn, ethanol, and cattle feeding triangle that has created value-added opportunities for Nebraska agriculture.
- Ricketts efforts to push back against overreaching federal regulations, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the U.S. rule, a far-reaching regulation that would have infringed on the property rights and management of private land as well as taken away states rights for managing local natural resources.
- Ricketts support and backing for initiatives to expand broadband access in rural Nebraska, including recent legislation to establish a Rural Broadband Task Force targeted to addressing the needs of farmers, ranchers, business owners, and rural Nebraskans who run the risk of falling behind without access to high quality and high-speed internet.
- Ricketts efforts to work with both the agriculture community and state officials to work through rules and regulations related to the transport of livestock.
- Ricketts leadership on water issues, including work with the state attorney general to reach a settlement in the long-standing Republican River Compact lawsuit, which jeopardized Nebraska farmers future access to water for irrigation.
- Ricketts support for growth and development of Nebraskas livestock industry through support for the states Livestock Friendly County program, which recognizes counties for their efforts to develop a climate conducive to livestock expansion opportunities.
- Ricketts ongoing efforts to work collaboratively to find solutions to address Nebraskas property tax burden, including his support for utilization of internet sales tax dollars to provide property tax relief.
- Ricketts overall efforts to reduce and streamline state government as well as his openness to consider Farm Bureau recommendations for appointments to individuals on boards and commissions important to Nebraska agriculture.
Whether its vetoing a bill that would weaken measures to control prairie dog populations that damage grazing land or leading a delegation to Japan to promote Nebraska beef, Governor Ricketts has worked to support Nebraska agriculture. We thank him for those efforts and are pleased to announce his designation as a Friend of Agriculture as he seeks re-election, said Nelson.
Governor Ricketts shared his appreciation to Nebraska Farm Bureau and its members for the designation.
“I’m honored by the continued support of Nebraska Farm Bureau and the many farm and ranch families it represents,” said Governor Ricketts. “Farming and ranching are not just our state’s heritage–they’re an engine for growing Nebraska. That’s why we’ll keep fighting to lower property taxes, promote our world-class ag exports, and support our state’s number-one industry.”
The Nebraska Farm Bureau-PAC Friend of Agriculture designation is given to selected candidates for public office based on their commitment to and positions on agricultural issues, qualifications, previous experience, communication abilities, and ability to represent their constituents.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service and advocacy efforts. More than 61,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraskas economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.