Ethanol was a major topic of discussion for members of the National Farmers Union meeting this week in Washington DC.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke to the NFU members by phone and pledged his support for new investments in renewable fuels and other policies that would benefit rural America. Obama also reiterated his support of the Renewable Fuels Standard. “I am strongly committed to advancing biofuels as a key component of reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” he told the NFU members.

“America’s farmers are ready, willing and able to play a vital role in reducing our dependence on foreign oil. With the right policies in place we can continue to feed the world while fueling the future,” NFU President Tom Buis said.

The NFU members also visited the U.S. Department of Agriculture to meet with Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner and other USDA officials. Conner told them that “the corn-to-ethanol equation has to continue to be a key part” of the nation’s energy plans and he will continue to defend it.