Chairman Harkin D-IA

Agriculture is at the heart of so many issues that impact our lives each day – from producing food and fiber and the fuel that supplies our vehicles to the conservation of our natural resources and the economic growth and jobs in rural areas.  The responsibilities and goals of the Senate Agriculture Committee are as diverse as the needs of American agriculture.  The policies developed by this committee will support efforts to move our country forward, help rural communities grow and succeed and help boost the rural economy to preserve opportunities for the next generation for states like Iowa.

This is no small challenge, but there are diverse and strong voices that are helping us shape the future of farm, food and rural policy in the United States.  I am committed to leading the committee with openness and accessibility to all ideas.  We hold public hearings and open meetings to discuss farm policy and specific legislation, which you are welcome to listen to in real time on our website.  Or, if you would like to sign up for our monthly news updates, you can do that on our web site as well.

This is an exciting time for American agriculture and rural America, and we on the Committee are dedicated to creating federal policy that will facilitate the great work of our nation’s farmers, ranchers and rural Americans.

Tom Harkin, Chairman