Some of the most pressing issues facing the agricultural community are: estate taxes, zoning and eminent domain abuse. I will fight to reduce or eliminate estate taxes on farms and small businesses. I will also fight inconsistent zoning and unfair eminent domain proceedings.
	I started my professional career as an assistant manager in a grain elevator and soybean processing plant in Emporia, Kansas (the former Cook Grain). I later was a grain merchant (corn, beans, meal & oil) in Des Moines, Iowa and served as a junior grain analyst on the Chicago Board of Trade (writing the intelligence wire).
	My interest in agriculture arose from living, as an AFS foreign exchange student, in Brazil. I lived in the home of an Agronomist who also happened to be a Federal Secretary  of Agriculture. My (surrogate) father was a Fulbright Scholar (CalPoly, San Luis Obispo), who ran 800 head of cattle on his ranch.  He also grew cotton and sorghum. As a Secretary, he built 800 dams the year I lived in his home! He was one heck of a guy. He also taught me the incredible challenges farmers face.
	Those challenges remain today and in Montgomery County, farm communities face additional challenges from expanding development, environmental issues and labor shortages.
	I will work to preserve our farms. I will work to find ways to help farmers mitigate environmental damage, especially to the Bay. I will work to prevent development of the Dulles Techway, which will seriously threaten the Agricultural Reserve. I will work to formalize processes for temporary labor to be available. I also will support efforts to encourage (BTU efficient) biomass energy alternatives.
	I am dedicated to preserving a place where my childrens' children can see "where the food comes from".
	Copyright © 2006 John R. Austin