WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today made a request to the leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee that Iowa host a field hearing to discuss the next farm bill.

In his letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts, Grassley said that Iowa is one of the leading states in producing a number of agricultural products and that the state lies in the heart of the farm belt.  Iowa is the number one producer of corn, soybeans, pork, and eggs.

“Iowa agriculture is crucial to the health of the economy of the state, and supports thousands of non-farm jobs around the state,” Grassley said.  “In addition, the committee has a history of conducting field hearings in Iowa as it considers farm bill legislation.”

Here is a copy of the text of the letter.

The Honorable Debbie Stabenow
Chairwoman, Committee on Agriculture 
Nutrition and Forestry
Russell Senate Office Building 328A
Washington, D.C. 205 10-6000

The Honorable Pat Roberts
Ranking Member, Committee on Agriculture
Nutrition and Forestry
Russell Senate Office Building 328A
Washington, D.C. 20510-6000

Dear Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Roberts:

I appreciate your leadership in moving the committee forward in considering the upcoming farm bill. The hearings held so far have provided very insightful information, and I am looking forward to upcoming discussions.

As you consider future committee hearings, I urge you to conduct a field hearing in my home state of Iowa.  Iowa is one of the leading states in producing a number of agricultural products.  It lies in the heart of the farm belt and is home to some of the most innovative and dynamic agriculture businesses in the world. In addition, there are countless examples throughout the state which highlight the tremendous work accomplished through rural development programs. Consequently, the committee has a history of conducting field hearings in Iowa as it considers farm bill legislation.

The policies set in the next farm bill have a tremendous impact on not only farmers, but all Iowans, as there are thousands of non-farm jobs supported by agriculture. Conducting a field hearing in Iowa will give the committee a tremendous opportunity to hear from farmers, rural Americans, companies leading the way in agriculture innovation, and other citizens impacted by farm bill programs.

You have recently received a letter from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey extending an invitation for the committee to have a hearing in Iowa, and they have graciously offered to assist in hosting the hearing. I join them in inviting you to schedule a hearing in Iowa, and I urge you to take them up on their offer to assist in hosting the hearing.

Sincerely,

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