tacos, uh, i >> so the couple learned as they went along, everything frcm soil science to irrigation techniques. and before they knew it, they had developed a thriving avocado orchard along the way. they now have 8,500 avocado trees--trees that have come to mean more to the couple than they ever could have imagined. >> we like to think that we have 8,500 employees working for us here at the facility on our area. and we like to think of every tree as really an individual with its own personality. >> my husband calls them our employees, but they're kind of like my babies, and anytime anything happens to them, you feel horrible. and you see where a tree is stressed, and you have to take care of it. and if any of them die, you feel bad. you feel really bad. so you want to take of them as best you can. >> and those 8,500 employees continue to rk hard for linda and mark, who continue to dote on them. they hope to harvest about 15,000 pounds of fruit per acre this season alone. each avocado is hand picked, making sure the stem is trimmed off so it doesn't scrape or bruise other avocados when it is pac

air and national guard who will be using their farming skills to help afghanistan with new irrigation techniques and new models for wheat and grass land production. our farmers participating in global agriculture training products achieve could you humanitarian goals as well. we have made significant gains at empowering women producers which gives rise to greater equality and social mobilization and engagement in their local communities. for instance, they are helping to rebuild haiti's decimated agriculture sector in the aftermath of the terrible earthquake, and through various u.s. agriculture food aid programs, they are combating global hunger. again, mr. chairman, american familiarers are ready to do their help and help -- familiarers are ready to help do their help and help clean up the fiscal mess. it's important not to forget about the hard work our farm families put in day in and day out to help feed and fuel and protect all of america. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from california. mr. farr: how much time do we have remaining? the chair: the gentleman

challenges, we must tell farmers to adopt the latest cd technology, improved irrigation systems, for land and animal management techniques. we must help them apply fertilizers and pesticides and herbicides it need be. we must help them regulate the safety of their food assistance and engaged in the global trading systems of the food supply can be reached -- can reach the demand. good security efforts must be country-led and country-driven. it must refocus at the local and community level. we sincerely want to engage small holder farmers and villages to learn of their ideas about developing their agricultural sector so that we can help them with the technologies, techniques, and crops that that their culture and lifestyle. our focus must also reflect an understanding of the role of women in forming who account for 60% and 80% of farming in developing countries. i want to thank land of light for your continued effort with your partners -- i want to thank land o lakes border continued effort with your partnership in kenya. we must also insure that food makes it from the farms to the mouse in need. -- to the mouths in need.

challenges, we must help farmers adopt the latest seed technology, improve irrigation systems for land and animal management techniqueses if need be and regulate the safety of their food systems and engaming in the global trading systems so the food supply can reach the demand. it must be country led and country given and focused at the local and community level. we want to engage small holder farmers and villages to learn their ideas about developing their agriculture sector so that we can help them with the technologies, techniques, and crops that fit their culture and lifestyle. our focus must also reflect an understanding of the role of women in farming who account between 60%-80% of food production in most developing countries. chris, i want to take this opportunity to thank land o' lakes for your participation because that's having a profound impact and effect for folks not only in that country, but across africa. while we improve productivity, we have to ensure food makes it from the farms to the mouths in need, help communities and nations build safer water systems, post harvest infrastructure like roads and c