Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
In the U.S. Senate, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry is among the oldest committees, having been established in 1825. The current chair is Senator Blanche Lincoln and the Ranking Minority Member is Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
Subcommittees
Its work is carried out by five subcommittees.
Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit
Legislation and oversight involving rural economic revitalization and quality of life; rural job and business growth; rural electrification, telecommunications and utilities; conservation, protection and stewardship of natural resources; state, local and private forests and general forestry; agricultural and rural credit.
- Chair: Sen. Debbie Stabenow
- Ranking member: Sen. John Cornyn
Energy, Science and Technology
Jurisdiction: Legislation and oversight involving renewable energy production and energy efficiency improvement on farms and ranches and in rural communities; food and agricultural research, education, economics and extension; innovation in the use of agricultural commodities and materials.
- Sen. Michael Bennet, chair
- Sen. John Thune, Ranking Member
Domestic & Foreign Marketing, Inspection, & Plant & Animal Health
Jurisdiction: Legislation and oversight involving agricultural trade; foreign market development; domestic marketing and product promotion; marketing orders and regulation of agricultural markets and animal welfare; inspection and certification of plants, animals and products; plant and animal diseases and health protection.
- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Chair
- Sen. Mike Johanns, Ranking Member
Production, Income Protection and Price Support
Jurisdiction: Legislation and oversight involving the production of agricultural crops, commodities and products; farm and ranch income protection and assistance; commodity price support programs; insurance and risk protection; fresh water food production.
- Sen. Robert Casey, Chair
- Sen. Pat Roberts, Ranking Member
Hunger, Nutrition and Family Farms
Domestic and international nutrition and food assistance and hunger prevention; school and child nutrition programs; local and healthy food initatives; futures, options and derivatives; pesticides; and general legislation. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Chair Sen. Richard Lugar, Ranking Member