WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the Agriculture Committee, participated in a hearing entitled, “The Role of Climate Research in Supporting Agricultural Resiliency.” During the hearing, Kuster spoke about the importance of agricultural research in addressing climate change and pointed to the successes of USDA’s Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, which has provided critical analysis studying New Hampshire’s climate for the past half-century.

“Our farmers and foresters are on the front lines of climate change,” said Rep. Kuster. “They feel the consequences long before other sectors experience the impact. That’s why it is so important that we invest in climate research and support our nation’s agricultural resiliency. Today’s hearing was an important step toward recognizing the role our producers play in combating climate change and building our research capacity so farmers and foresters can maximize the carbon capture potential of their land.”

Agriculture and forestry are sensitive to the impacts of climate change — from alterations in rainfall patterns to increases in climate extremes and altered patterns of pest pressure — impacting production and yield. Rep. Kuster is a leader in Congress to preserve our planet and equip our nation’s farmers and producers with the tools they need to further understand the causes and impacts of climate change and identify and implement solutions.