Jim Harris
Retired Wheat Grower
Please stand with me and ask our Oregon representatives in Washington, D.C. to protect the partnership between fuel and agricultural by preserving the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as is, without changes.
With so many policies up for debate in Washington DC, it’s easy to miss important ones that impact the agricultural industry. One of the efforts now underway is designed to undermine the RFS. These modifications could have significant effects on the ethanol industry, U.S. agriculture, and our ability to remain economically competitive as a nation.
Too often, time and financial commitments silo our thinking to the problems of our personal farms and commodities. Farming is no longer the isolated experience of a family working their own parcel of land. Global markets are changing, and American families are increasingly insisting on foods that are locally sourced and responsibly managed. It is critical to our success as an agricultural community to have the ability, as caretakers of the land, to be flexible, to maximize yields, to repurpose waste, and to provide a sustainable model for success.
Ethanol production represents one of the key outlets farms have to diversify their markets and maintain a stable income. It’s not just about growing fuel or feed. With ethanol and biodiesel, the byproduct after fuel production is a valuable feedstock for cattle. This provides farms greater flexibility, more opportunities to cut costs and a diversified portfolio of products to offer.
For the good of the agricultural community, I urge Oregon leaders like Congressman Greg Walden to please join us in protecting the partnership between our industry and Oregon biofuel leaders like Pacific Ethanol. We must continue to bring long term fuel investments in America and uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard.
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