•HCON 229 IH 
Whereas agriculture from field-to-fork and pond-to-plate is an 
economic engine generating more than $258 billion in 
cash receipts annually for the United States economy; 
Whereas agricultural exports account for more than 20 per-
cent of United States exports; 
Whereas 2.1 million family farms in the United States ac-
count for more than 90 percent of the commodities grown 
today, with the States of California, Texas, Iowa, Ne-
braska, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, North 
Carolina, and Indiana leading the way in producing the 
world’s safest food and most abundant agricultural prod-
ucts; 
Whereas the State of California is a preeminent producer of 
more than 350 different agricultural commodities, includ-
ing more than 90 percent of all of the tomatoes and 
grapes produced in the United States, all of the commer-
cial almonds, dates, figs, olives, cling peaches, prunes and 
raisins produced in the United States, and one out of 
every five glasses of milk consumed in the United States; 
Whereas the total investment by California’s 78,500 farms in 
terms of direct and indirect economic impact is stag-
gering, and, if California is going to keep its agricultural 
industry strong and vibrant, it must focus on the needs 
of farmers who are valuable contributors to the economic, 
social, and cultural life of the State and the United 
States; 
Whereas the agricultural industry is challenged to find ways 
to address the diverse needs of agriculture in regions 
with very different products, climates, and experiences 
and must continue to work together to find ways to both 
support agricultural production and ensure that con-
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•HCON 229 IH 
sumers continue to have access to the world’s safest and 
most abundant food and agriculture products; 
Whereas the agricultural industry faces issues as varied as 
renewable energy, rural development, disaster prepared-
ness, nutrition, conservation, international trade, futures 
markets, animal and plant health, research and develop-
ment, bioterrorism, forestry, species protection, habitat 
restoration, energy policy, and climate change; 
Whereas one of the challenges facing American agriculture is 
to continue to attract the best and brightest minds to the 
industry and to foster public awareness of agriculture’s 
role in the United States and world economy; 
Whereas as Americans grow more and more detached from 
the great agrarian history of the United States, fewer 
Americans understand the fundamental importance of ag-
riculture to American society; 
Whereas educating young Americans about agriculture and 
its importance to the United States is an investment that 
will pay off in future benefits as citizens of all ages, espe-
cially youth, will play a meaningful, hands-on role in de-
termining the future of American agriculture; 
Whereas greater public understanding and appreciation of the 
importance of agriculture to California, the United 
States, and the world is needed to secure a positive fu-
ture, in which the United States can rely on healthy food 
that is produced domestically; 
Whereas, as planners, conservationists, and other interested 
persons throughout the United States organize to help 
protect agricultural resources, the National Ag Science 
Center in Stanislaus County, California, is preparing to 
educate and alert future generations about the need to 
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•HCON 229 IH 
preserve agricultural land and foster an understanding of 
the importance of agriculture; 
Whereas the National Ag Science Center will be the premier 
showcase of science and technology in American agri-
culture whose mission is to inspire, excite, and enrich 
people of all ages through unique, interactive opportuni-
ties that highlight the role science and technology con-
tribute to the production, processing, and marketing of 
America’s food and fiber; 
Whereas, according to findings of the Center for Public Pol-
icy Studies at California State University, Stanislaus, the 
National Ag Science Center will create or support up to 
359 new local jobs, create or support up to $57,500,000 
in economic activity and $15,200,000 in labor income 
through construction of the new facility, generate as 
much as $8,500,000 in total annual economic activity, 
and result in as much as $3,400,000 in total annual 
labor income; 
Whereas, on November 28, 2007, a memorandum of under-
standing for the dedication of a 3.5 acre site on the West 
Campus of Modesto Community College for the National 
Ag Science Center was executed by the Stanislaus County 
Ag Center Foundation and the Yosemite Community Col-
lege District; 
Whereas the National Ag Science Center will be constructed 
using the standards adopted by the U.S. Green Building 
Council for a LEED Certified Green Building; 
Whereas the name ‘‘National Ag Science Center’’ and an ac-
companying logo are registered by the United States Pat-
ent and Trademark Office; and 
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•HCON 229 IH 
Whereas establishment of the National Ag Science Center is 
in the national interest, as the National Ag Science Cen-
ter will enable future generations to help assure a healthy 
and profitable place for agriculture in the economy of 
California and the United States: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress supports the designation of 
the facility under development by the Stanislaus County 
Ag Center Foundation, in Stanislaus County, California, 
as the ‘‘National Ag Science Center’’. 
Æ 
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