March 13, 2006

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

As our largest industry, agriculture is a top priority in Nebraska. It remains the backbone of local economies in rural and urban parts of the state.

I recently returned from the 18th Annual Governor’s Ag Conference, which highlights new opportunities for agriculture and our rural communities. This conference provides a chance to come together to discuss trends impacting our agriculture community and set a course for a vibrant future in our state.

This year’s keynote speaker was Undersecretary Tom Dorr of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who highlighted the growing trend of individuals and families being drawn to life in rural communities, regardless of whether agriculture is their chosen career, because of the quality of life these communities offer.

He also shared the message that same Internet technology that is driving new investment and development in countries such as India and China has the potential to provide residents and businesses of our rural communities the same opportunity to compete on an international scale.

That is an important message for our residents to hear, as a 2003 census showed that Nebraska’s rural communities exceeded the national average when it comes to Internet access at home or work. When combined with the growing number of high-tech companies and call centers in our state, I believe many of our rural communities are positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.

In addition to new prospects for rural development, I heard a lot of optimism about the future for Nebraska agriculture during this year’s conference. While recent years have been good for many of our producers, they have also faced their share of adversity – from the possibility the ongoing drought will intensify to the impact it’s had on water supplies. Yet there is still good news to celebrate.

We have worked tirelessly to expand our global presence in agriculture, and our state has made important strides in securing new opportunities in the international marketplace. Whether establishing a new export market for Nebraska agricultural products in Cuba, or working to restore trade in countries that until recently had been closed to Nebraska beef, we’ve had some important successes.

As Governor of one of the nation’s largest ethanol-producing states, I’ve been very pleased to see Nebraska communities make strategic investments in expanding ethanol and alternative fuel production. The future for ethanol in this country is strong because of the enthusiasm and hard work of our producers. The expansion and new construction taking place in our state is good news for rural communities and our entire state.

Finally, I am encouraged by the intelligence and interest in this dynamic industry shown by the next generation of Nebraskans. We are fortunate to have many young people in our state working to prepare for a career in agriculture. As a state and as a nation, we need to capitalize on their interest and find new and innovative ways to continue encouraging our young people be part of this industry.

Our state remains strong, thanks to the investments being made by our farmers and ranchers, the collaborative efforts of leaders in the agriculture industry and the dedicated staff of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

We are very fortunate to have so many individuals and organizations willing to take an active role in charting the course for a successful future. Our future is tied to success and innovation in our agriculture industry.

When we consider the combined potential of Nebraska’s entrepreneurial spirit and the interest of our residents in investing in the future of their communities, it gives me great optimism and hope for an even stronger agricultural future here in our great state.