Sidney Herald: Agriculture leaders applaud Daines’ selection to U.S. Senate committee

Following U.S. Sen. Steve Daines’ announcement of committee assignments for the 115th Congress, Montana’s top agriculture and forestry leaders praised his new membership on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

 “Montana’s number one economic driver is agriculture and I’m excited to represent their priorities on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture,” Daines said.

Don Steinbeisser Jr., director, Montana Dakota Beet Growers Association, said, “We are happy to hear that Sen. Daines will be serving on the Ag Committee.  It will certainly be good for sugar and the state of Montana.”

 Lola Raska, Executive Vice President of the Montana Grain Growers Association: “We are absolutely thrilled that Senator Daines has been appointed to serve on the Senate Ag Committee. With work already underway on a new farm bill, this appointment could not come at a better time. We very much appreciate Steve’s continued recognition of the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy.”

 Montana Farm Bureau Federation President Hans McPherson said, “Montana Farm Bureau is excited to have Senator Daines on the AG Committee. Agriculture is Montana’s #1 industry so it is great to have a Montana senator at the table as the Farm Bill and other critical legislation is crafted that affects our livelihoods.”

 Errol Rice, Montana Stockgrowers Association’s executive vice president, said, “The Montana Stockgrowers Association congratulates Senator Daines on being appointed to the Senate Ag Committee. Having a Montanan at the table as the next farm bill is developed presents a great opportunity for growing Montana agriculture and expanding opportunities for ranchers across the state. MSGA appreciates Sen. Daines’ work on behalf of the state’s #1 industry and is eager to continue to work closely with the Senator to ensure that the next farm bill serves Montana.”

 Wendy Jackson, executive vice president of the Land Trust Alliance, said,: “Land trusts, farmers, and working lands across America have benefitted from Senator Daines’ leadership, most notably from his co-sponsorship of the conservation easement incentive bill passed last year in the House and Senate. His appointment to the Agriculture Committee is good news as Congress turns its focus towards the reauthorization of the Farm Bill.”

Krista Lee Evans, executive director, Montana Agricultural Business Association and the Montana Grain Elevator Association, noted, “Having Sen. Daines serve on both the Ag Committee and the Ag Appropriations Committee is great news for Montana ag and the MABA and the MGEA are thrilled to have a Montanan sit on this critical committee. We especially look forward to working with Sen. Daines to secure priorities for Montana’s largest industry as negotiations over the next Farm Bill begin.”  

Larry Hendrickson, chair Montana Association of Counties Agriculture Committee, said “We will be looking forward to starting 2017 with Sen. Daines on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Working together, with the Senator, to craft the next farm bill, and helping open new markets for Montana Ag products.”

Jim Brown, director of Public Affairs, Montana Wool Growers Association, said, “On behalf of the membership of the Montana Wool Growers Association, I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations to Sen. Daines on his appointment to serve on the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. This is an incredible development for Montana’s agriculture production community. As a native Montanan and an avid outdoorsman and hunter, Senator Daines understands the important role Montana’s agriculture producers play in wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation.”

 Bethany Erb, vice-chair of the board of directors, Mule Deer Foundation, added, “We are happy to have Sen. Daines as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. As a Montanan steeped in its hunting heritage, he truly understands the importance of public and private land partnerships, the balance between agriculture production and wildlife management, and wise land management for the benefit of wildlife, like mule deer. His experience and passions make him a welcome addition to the Committee on Agriculture. We enjoyed working with him when he was a Member of House of Representatives as the last Farm Bill took shape, and again on important conservation and sportsmen issues through his membership on the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Energy and Natural Resources. We look forward to working with him in this additional capacity as well, especially as the 2018 Farm Bill materializes.”