Issue Position: Agriculture

Issue Position

Agriculture directly supports over 350,000 jobs in Wisconsin, contributing 10 percent of employment throughout the state. In addition to being prominent, Wisconsin's agricultural sector is uniquely diverse. Our state ranks first in the production of cheese nationwide and second only to California in milk production. Additionally, Wisconsin produces over 50 percent of the world's cranberry supply and also yields sizable potato, corn, soybean, cherry, and snap bean crops, contributing to the state's vast food processing industry.

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am working to represent the needs of Wisconsin's 78,000 farms as the panel works on the new Farm Bill. I voted for the draft 2012 Farm Bill that passed in our Committee by a wide bipartisan margin. In addition to helping Wisconsin dairy farmers to manage their risk, the new Farm Bill also expands opportunities for fruit and vegetable production, improves management of national forests, and supports organic farming in Wisconsin. I look forward to completing work on this long-term bill in 2013.

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