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Overview
Agriculture is tremendously important to Minnesota's First Congressional District. In fact, southern Minnesota is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Congressman Gutknecht is an active member of the House Agriculture Committee and is Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Operations, Oversight, Dairy, Nutrition and Forestry. In Washington, he remains a strong advocate for agriculture, especially animal agriculture; seeks to expand domestic and foreign markets for farm products; and continues to promote renewable energy.
Recent Legislation & Accomplishments
Federal farm support policies are governed by a variety of separate laws. However, many of these laws are evaluated, revised, and changed through a multi-year farm bill. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 was the most recent farm bill, and many of its provisions expire in 2007, so reauthorization is expected to be enacted next year.
Congressman Gutknecht is very involved in preparations and debate leading up to a new Farm Bill. He has begun a series of listening sessions in Southern Minnesota to hear from producers. The Minnesota Corn Growers and Soybean Growers associations have already met with the Congressman to offer their perspective.
Check the website and the weekly E-Line for information and updates.
Agriculture Committee
Congressman Gutknecht is Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Operations, Oversight, Dairy, Nutrition and Forestry. This subcommittee's jurisdiction covers the U.S. Department of Agriculture (including special investigations), USDA operations, implementation of the Farm Bill, food stamps, nutrition and consumer programs, our nation's forests, renewable fuels, and dairy.
This chairmanship is especially important for Southern Minnesota, as farms and farmers are a large percentage of the First District's population. In fact, more than one quarter of the state's milk and beef cows and over half of the pigs are located in the First District. Congressman Gutknecht has held a number of hearings and meetings in Washington and Minnesota to make sure the members of his subcommittee have the information they need to make important policy decisions.
Check here for the Agriculture Committee's hearing schedule. You can listen to hearings as they occur and can view hearing archives.
Helpful Agriculture Links
House Committee on Agriculture
Senate Committee on Agriculture
USDA
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Minnesota Farm Service Agency
Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service
Minnesota Rural Development
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Minnesota Farm Bureau
Minnesota Farmers Union
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
University of Minnesota Extension Service
Minnesota Corn Growers
Minnesota Soybean Growers
Minnesota Buffalo Association
Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
Minnesota Turkey Growers Association
Minnesota Pork Producers
Minnesota Cattlemen's Association
Minnesota Milk Producers Association
Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers
