Agriculture

 

 

 

With Idaho farmers and ranchers producing more than 140 commodities statewide, Idaho has a diversified and abundant agriculture industry that contributes significantly to Idaho's economy. Webster's statement above is clearly indicative of the role that agriculture has played in Idaho's history. Because agriculture is so important to Idaho communities and history, I served as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee during the reauthorization of the 2008 Farm Bill.

I served as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, which has jurisdiction over a number of issues important to Idaho, including rural development and electrification, agricultural credit, crop insurance, forestry, and soil conservation. I was also a member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Food Assistance, Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, and General Legislation; and the Subcommittee on Domestic and Foreign Marketing, Inspection, and Plant and Animal Health.

 

I support fair trade and have confidence in the ability of U.S. agriculture, business, and industry to compete in global markets that provide increased access, reduced tariffs, and reduced non-tariff barriers. As the U.S. pursues multilateral and bilateral free trade agreements, our trade agreements should achieve mutually-beneficial trade.

At the beginning of my second term in the Senate, I was appointed to the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over reciprocal trade agreements. As the Committee and Congress consider trade agreements, I will continue to work to ensure that we gain strong achievements for agriculture through our trade agreements.

Useful Resources:

• Farm Service Agency
• Natual Resources Conservation Service
• Rural Development Agency
• Risk Management Agency
• 12 Apr 2007 Letter to President Bush regarding WTO negotiations on agriculture (PDF file, 647 KB)
• Trade and Agriculture: What's at Stake for Idaho? (Factsheet from the USDA)
• The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hearings. This link will allow you to access audio from Agriculture Committee hearings.
• Farm Bill Forum, USDA
• Department of Agriculture