When the Kyoto Protocol came into effect it was without ratification by the United States, the world's top polluting country. One sector that has lost out are our farmers. In other countries that have ratified Kyoto farmers receive far more for carbon sequestration through the World Bank's carbon finance initiatives than is possible in the U.S. In Minnesota, our companies and cities have been leading the way toward greenhouse gas reduction. We have shown investments in greenhouse gas reduction are saving money and spurring economic development. For our farmers it's time for a national commitment to clean energy that ratification of Kyoto would bring.