MR. POWERS: I'm Jerome Powers. Mark Uckert can't be here today so I'm going to take his time slot here. I got a story to tell you, and I hope you listen.

I wholly question where the quality and justice lies in the ag industry today. Because of corporate greed, my way of life and the way of life for five generations before me is being taken from me. I, as a citizen of the United States, no longer have the opportunity to pursue a career in the ag industry as a producer.

For five generations my family has worked at providing food for the people of the U.S. to make a living. That way of life is no longer economically possible. In doing this, I feel my culture is being stripped from me. Where are my constitutional rights which tell me I have a right to pursue my dreams and my ambitions?

Collective farming did not work in Russia. Why should the U.S. be so naive as to think it should work here? If I worked at raising crops and there isn't any incentive to achieve or prosper, then there will be no drive for me to do better. It won't matter if I raise 10 bushel corn or 100 bushel. All a person will want to do is fill in time.

I have a four-year-old son who lives and dreams tractors, livestock, farming. How am I supposed to encourage him in a field where no future exists for anyone who reaches of age? I do not feel this is right, and if our government can't help us, then God have mercy on our souls. Things are going to change rapidly, and not to our liking.

I do not wish to fight the government, but I am asking for their help. Please help us. We cannot fight these corporations by ourselves.

Have you people ever looked in a four-year-old's eyes? The unconditional love that's there and the trust in their father that he's going to give them the time and the way to grow up to be just like Dad. I've given my blood, my back, and my sweat for this country and for my family. Does corporate America have to take my dignity too?

Our backs are against the wall. It's no longer talking about it. It's time to do things, come up with solutions. Let's fix this problem. I'm willing to help, and I have to keep a level head. I cannot let anger take over. All I can ask is please help us.

Thank you for your time.