Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was named a “Friend of Farm Bureau” on Friday by the American Farm Bureau Federation.  The award, for the 112th Congress, is given at the end of each Congress and is based upon members’ voting records and their accessibility and responsiveness to their state’s farmers.  McConnell was nominated for the award by the Kentucky Farm Bureau, and will receive it today at their annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky.

“It comes as no surprise that the American Farm Bureau Federation is presenting Senate Republican Leader McConnell with the 2012 ‘Friend of Farm Bureau’ Award,” said Mark Haney, president of Kentucky Farm Bureau. “When agriculture in Kentucky and our nation needs support, Farm Bureau confidently turns to leaders like Senator McConnell. His efforts in Washington to help farmers succeed in a global economy are recognized and appreciated throughout the Commonwealth.”

“I am proud to accept this honor on behalf of the farmers of Kentucky whom I proudly serve in the United States Senate,” Senator McConnell said. “Kentucky farmers are vitally important to the Commonwealth’s economy, and it’s a privilege to represent them in the Nation’s Capital.