Wisconsin finally represented on Ag Committee

He has only been in Congress for a month, but he has already done what his longtime predecessor could not. Derrick Van Orden just took office in January, but has already landed a seat on the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee. It has been more than a decade since Wisconsin last had a member of Congress serving on this committee, and it has been even longer since the representative for Wisconsin’s Third Congressional district has had a seat on the powerful committee. Van Orden’s predecessor, Ron Kind, spent more than two decades representing La Crosse in Congress without being named to the Ag Committee. It is not that Van Orden knows more about dairy and farming than Kind, it has more to do with which party is in power when the assignments are handed out. Either way, this is good for Wisconsin, and in particular the Third District. It is important for area farmers that they have representation on the committee that will soon craft a new farm bill. That will determine rules and funding for programs like commodity supports, conservation, trade and nutrition. It has been far too long since Wisconsin has been represented on this important committee, and it is good that Wisconsin again has a voice in shaping the nation’s agricultural policies.