President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address Tuesday night. (From White House video)

President Barack Obama did not ignore rural America in Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. In his opening remarks, as he cited examples of “citizens who make the state of our union strong,” Obama included “a farmer prepared for the spring after the strongest five-year stretch of farm exports in our history.”

While there was no mention of the Agricultural Act of 2014 — the new farm bill which is expected to be voted on in the House today — Obama has included two issues of significance to agriculture in his plans for 2014: Immigration reform and renewable energy, including biofuels.

A 10-page White House fact sheet entitled “Opportunity for All” was released in conjunction with the speech, listing “key executive actions” for the year. Among the issues listed under “Continuing to work with Congress” are “Fixing our broken immigration system” and “Expanding fuel choices for American drivers,” in part through extending tax credits to support cellulosic biofuels.

Immigration reform

“Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have acted,” Obama noted in his address. “I know that members of both parties in the House want to do the same.”

The Senate passed an immigration reform bill last July that included special provisions to allow current undocumented agricultural workers to gain citizenship after working for another five years in agriculture, and which would create a new guest worker program. The House leadership has not taken up the issue.

“Independent economists say immigration reform will grow our economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades,” Obama continued. “And for good reason: when people come here to fulfill their dreams — to study, invent, and contribute to our culture — they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone. So let’s get immigration reform done this year.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union both issued statements following the speech in support of the measure.

“Many farmers rely on an immigrant labor force, and, without reform, growers will begin to plant less labor-intensive crops or go off shore,” said Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman.

“Farm Bureau is urging Congress to pass an agriculture labor program with both short- and long-term stability. It's a way to keep our experienced workforce, while making sure we have access to a legal workforce through a streamlined and flexible guest worker program in the future. Simply put, either we import our labor or we import our food.”

“Immigration reform is critical to farmers and ranchers across the country,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

“I hope Congress takes the president’s sentiments to heart and makes comprehensive immigration reform its next priority. This ought to be a priority for liberals, moderates and conservatives alike, as it will reduce the deficit by $1 trillion dollars in two decades.”

Energy measures

A wide range of energy-related initiatives are mentioned in the president’s action plan, although he mentioned only natural gas development, solar energy and cleaner and more efficient energy in his speech.

Under “Expanding Fuel Choices for American Drivers,” the action plan includes supporting advanced vehicle development through a new tax credit and an extending the cellulosic biofuel producer credit that expired on December 31.

“Cellulosic biofuels have the potential to reduce petroleum consumption and carbon pollution while boosting rural economic development,” the fact sheet says. “Extending the existing tax credit would accelerate development of this transformative transportation fuel.”

The NFU, a Democratic-leaning group, said after the speech that it was “encouraged by the president’s commitment to our country’s energy future.”

“Passage of the farm bill conference report, with an investment of $900 million in renewable energy, will take the initial step toward reaching the president's goal,” Johnson said.

“As the president said, ‘climate change is a fact,’ and America’s farmers and ranchers are positioned to be a part of the solution.”

The National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association responded to Obama’s remarks on energy by urging him to back away from the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard.

‘Let’s Move’

Obama also used the State of the Union speech to acknowledge First Lady Michelle Obama’s program to fight childhood obesity as an illustration of an America that “does not stand still.”

“As usual, our first lady sets a good example,” the president said. “Michelle’s ‘Let’s Move’ partnership with schools, businesses, and local leaders has helped bring down childhood obesity rates for the first time in 30 years — an achievement that will improve lives and reduce health care costs for decades to come.”

• State of the Union Fact Sheet: Key Executive Actions the President Will Take in 2014
• State of the Union Address (As Prepared for Delivery)