Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry has broad jurisdiction over the nation's farming industry, food and nutrition programs, forestry, and rural development. The committee reviews all legislation related to agricultural commodities, crop insurance, soil conservation, farm credit, food safety, forestry, and nutrition assistance programs like food stamps and school meals. It also oversees the Department of Agriculture and related agencies. Bills referred to the committee go through a review process where members hold hearings, propose amendments, and vote on whether to recommend the bill to the full Senate for a floor vote. Most major agricultural legislation, including the Farm Bill passed every five years, flows through this committee. The committee is chaired by Republican John Boozman of Arkansas, with Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota as ranking member. Recent activity includes work on a Farm Bill Part 2 to address loose ends from last year's budget package, as well as bills on rural hospital revitalization, nutrition assistance expansion, livestock research, fertilizer transparency, and conservation programs. The committee has five subcommittees focused on commodities and trade, conservation and forestry, food and nutrition, livestock and food safety, and rural development and credit.