FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2009
Contact: Katie Laning Niebaum, Leah Vest DiPietro
202-224-4843

Arkansans and other stakeholders weigh in on Senator Blanche L. Lincoln's new role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

•    Arkansas Business, September 14, 2009, "The Right Fit"

•    The Hand That Feeds U.S., Jennifer James, "Finally A Seat at the Table"

• Randy Veach, President of the Arkansas Farm Bureau:

“Senator Blanche Lincoln assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture Committee will provide benefits for the entire U.S. agricultural sector,” said Veach  “Her deep agricultural heritage gives her a strong understanding of the needs of agriculture.   We believe this will be good, not only for Arkansas agriculture, but for all of U.S. agriculture. The senator’s interest in the well being of U.S. farm families is deep and sincere.

“Agriculture is near to her heart, and she takes great pride in representing Arkansas' farmers and ranchers. As chairman, she'll be able to expand that impact to others across the country.
“We value the long and deep relationships the leaders of our organization have had with Sen. Lincoln. She is a true friend of agriculture. Sen. Lincoln has, time and again, demonstrated her dedication to agriculture and the rural way of life. She has worked tirelessly to educate other members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, on the importance of the U.S. having sound farm policy and the benefits that our farm programs provide the citizens of this great country."

• Milo J. Shult, Vice President for Agriculture, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture:

“The announcement today that Senator Blanche Lincoln has been named Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry committee is extremely welcome and comes at a time when strong leadership is needed to champion the safety, security and continued abundance of our nation’s food supply,” said Shult.  “Senator Lincoln has always been a champion for agriculture.  She recognizes the importance of supporting the mission of Land Grant institutions as they carry new technologies from discovery to application.  In Arkansas, her aggressive support for the University Of Arkansas Division Of Agriculture has helped keep agriculture as the backbone of our economy.  Her vision for more efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly alternative sources of energy, including biofuels, will ensure that her committee will be committed to advancing sustainable solutions to tomorrow’s problems.  We are very fortunate to have her at the helm of this key Senate committee.”

• Phyllis Haynes, Executive Director of Arkansas Food Bank:

“Senator Lincoln has long been a champion of those whose lives are endangered through hunger. We applauded her pioneer efforts as a founding member of the Senate Hunger Caucus. She is continuing her advocacy for hungry Americans as Chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee. She is dedicated to enacting legislation that provides undernourished children with more nutritious food for growing bodies, that enables senior citizens to have access to both food and medical care, and that enables our working families to stretch limited incomes to provide a healthy and secure home life.

“Senator Lincoln’s appointment as Chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee means those of us fighting hunger will have a strong partner in public policy – a powerful voice, a tenacious advocate and a leader in creating a country where no one has to go hungry.”

• Ted McNulty Director of Aquaculture, University of Arkansas Agriculture Department:

“It will be a tremendous help to have someone from a farm family as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  She understands agriculture and aquaculture, has listened to our needs, and has done everything she could to assist us.”

• Abraham Carpenter Jr., owner and operator of Carpenter Produce of Grady and the first-place winner of the 2005 National Lloyd Wright Black Small Farmers Award:

“This is wonderful news for agriculture, in general, but especially for specialty crop farmers.  Senator Lincoln understands agriculture, literally from the grass roots up.  She understands the issues and the programs designed to assist production.   Our industry will benefit from her sound leadership.”

• Frank Tugwell, President and CEO of Winrock International:

“This is wonderful news for Arkansas and for the whole country,”  Frank Tugwell, President and CEO of Winrock International said.   “As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Lincoln will bring the perspective of rural Arkansans to the many important issues that this Committee will be handling in the years to come.  In particular, she brings a unique understanding of the relationship between sustainable agriculture, renewable energy,  and community and economic development—all matters at the top of the national agenda.” 

• Larry McClendon, Arkansas cotton producer and former National Cotton Council Chairman:

"I am proud of my Senator.  No Senator has worked harder or cares more about production agriculture, nutrition and conservation than Senator Lincoln,” McClendon said. “She’s doing two things in Congress that not a lot of people are doing. She is willing to cross the aisle to make sure that people can get on board with her agenda. And then, second, when something is important to her like ag....she has the backbone to say what’s right. She will be an outstanding leader of U.S. agriculture!”

• Tommy Lalman, President of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association:

"Arkansas Cattlemen are extremely pleased that US Senator Blanche Lincoln has been named to chair the Senate Agriculture committee,” said Lalman. “Senator Lincoln has proven herself to be a friend and leader on issues that relate to cattlemen since being elected to represent us in the Senate. Time and again Senator Lincoln has stepped forward and shown leadership on issues that matter most to Arkansas' 27,000 cattlemen. Today, Arkansans are proud and Americas farmers, ranchers and consumers can rest assured that we have a very steady hand to guide us into the future.”   

• Ben Noble, Executive Director for the Arkansas Rice Federation:

“On behalf of the Arkansas Rice Federation and the thousands of rice farmers and industry leaders across Arkansas, we congratulate Senator Blanche Lincoln on her new role as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee,”  said Noble.  “Senator Lincoln has been a tireless advocate for the Arkansas rice industry as well as the Arkansas agriculture community and now serves as the first woman to ever chair the Senate Agriculture Committee.  We look forward to working with her on the critical issues facing our nation’s farmers and rural communities.”

• Max Braswell, Arkansas Forestry Association:

“Senator Lincoln is a true friend of forestry in Arkansas. The Arkansas Forestry Association looks forward to her leadership as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. We congratulate her and feel confident that the forestry community will continue to be well represented because of Senator Lincoln’s knowledge and understanding of the issues that affect landowners, loggers, and forest products manufacturers in Arkansas and across the nation.”

• Aubra Anthony, Anthony Forest Products:

“Blanche Lincoln has always been a champion for the Arkansans scratching out a living in our important forest and paper industries.  Now, we are blessed to have a champion carrying a much bigger stick.”

• Bill Reed, Spokesman for Riceland Foods:

“Senator Lincoln will be an excellent chairman of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.  She knows and understands the American food industry from the field to the table.  Growing up in a farm family, she has experienced the unpredictable challenges of farm life.  She knows that farmers were our first environmentalists—taking care of the soil, water resources and wildlife.  Farmers are focused on their productivity, but they also want to pass their farming operations on to the next generation in better condition than when they started farming.” 

“Her work as chairman of the subcommittee on production, income protection and price support will be especially helpful to her as she brings a southern perspective to agriculture issues.  As the founder of the Senate Hunger Caucus, she understands the nutritional needs of the nation’s children and seniors in particular and has helped marshal resources to help meet those needs.

“Senator Lincoln understands rural communities which include farmers who produce food and fiber, but also the businesses that provide agricultural inputs, retail shops, grocery stores, and service industries.  She is well respected by her Senate colleagues and will handle the chairmanship duties with fairness and in a business-like manner.  She has the ability to listen to different perspectives and work toward solutions.

“One could not choose three better Senate committees to represent Arkansas than the Agriculture, Finance and Energy Committees.  Trade issues handled by the Finance Committee are extremely important to agriculture.  The Energy committee holds many opportunities for agriculture as the nation expands production of farm-grown fuels.  Serving as chairman of the Agriculture committee puts her in a leadership role for the nation's farmers and consumers, which takes in all of us.”

• Teddy Gardner, Director of South Arkansas Community Development and President of Arkansas Coalition for Housing and Neighborhood Growth for Empowerment (ACHANGE):

“Senator Lincoln is extremely knowledgeable about USDA housing programs.  She has been a valuable friend and asset to SACD and ACHANGE.  Senator Lincoln is from rural Arkansas; she knows, first hand, our challenges and has always worked with us to overcome them.   Our state and our nation are fortunate to have her in this leadership role.”

• Allen Stewart, poultry producer and Chairman of Arkansas Farm Bureau Poultry Commodity Division Committee:  
 
“As an Arkansas poultry producer, I am thrilled for Sen. Lincoln. She understands the issues facing the poultry industry. She knows we need to work to open foreign markets for our products. She knows we need to ensure animal health . She knows we need strong support  when other nations use import/export issues as a political tool. She will be open with the agricultural industry, and I am glad someone with such a strong agricultural background is moving into this important role.”

• Gary McChesney, Chief Technology Officer, FutureFuel Chemical Company: 

“FutureFuel Chemical Company is extremely pleased with Senator Lincoln's appointment as the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  The Senator's personnel association with agriculture, coupled with her passion for energy security and climate issues make her an excellent choice to lead the expansion of U.S. agriculture into the production biomass-derived (renewable) energy, the generation of carbon offsets, and the reduction of greenhouse gases.  FutureFuel congratulates Senator Lincoln on her appointment and looks forward to supporting the Senator in her new responsibilities.”

• Jeremy Gilliam, Chair of Arkansas Farm Bureau Horticulture Committee and owner of Gilliam Farms:   

“I am extremely pleased to have Senator Lincoln named as Chairperson of the committee.  Having someone as caring and knowledgeable about agriculture is key to the future success of the agricultural industry.”

•    Don Tyson, Tyson Foods, Inc.

“Senator Lincoln has, for years, been a champion of Arkansas agriculture and agribusiness in general, and of the poultry industry in particular.  We congratulate her on having been chosen Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee.  We look forward to being able to continue working with her in this new role, where she should be able to be an even more effective advocate for Arkansas agribusiness in the years to come.  Through her service on the Senate Finance Committee she will also be able to look out for the interests of all Arkansans on health care, tax matters, and a range of other issues of importance to our state.”

•    Robert Carruthers, Pecan Grower, Blackwell, Arkansas:

“This is not just a good day for Arkansas, this is a great day.  For the first time ever in the U.S. Senate, we will have an Arkansas farm girl as leader of Ag committee and a mom over our kid’s school lunch programs.  There are not a lot of states that grow rice, cotton and pecans like Arkansas does so it is very important for us to have someone like you Senator Lincoln looking out for Arkansas number one industry.  Since I am a pecan grower it is hard for me to talk to someone who has never even seen a pecan tree, but you have picked up pecans all your life so you have real life understanding of my business.  I am proud for Arkansas and you Senator Lincoln as the day America went to the moon and back.  I want to tell you and your staff I am very impressed and I don’t impress very easily. CONGRATULATIONS!”

•    Marvin Childers, President, The Poultry Federation

“The Poultry Federation congratulates Senator Lincoln on her appointment to  Chair of the Senate Ag Committee.  As a tri-state organization with a mission to promote and protect the poultry industry, we are pleased to have an Arkansan who has a passion for agriculture.  Sen. Lincoln understands agriculture and has been an advocate for Arkansas agriculture her entire career.  I look forward to continuing our working relationship with Sen. Lincoln and her staff in ways to promote Arkansas agriculture to the entire world.  As a former Blytheville resident, I am also proud of Sen. Lincoln’s choice of Robert Holifiled to be the staff director of the Senate Ag Committee.  Robert will once again be an asset to Sen. Lincoln and a familiar face to many Arkansans in the agricultural community.”

•    Ted Glaub, Soybean Producer/American Soybean Association Board Member, Jonesboro, Arkansas:

"Senator Lincoln has been a champion of a strong rural economy as key to our Nation’s prosperity," said Ted Glaub, ASA Board member and a soybean producer from Jonesboro, Arkansas.  "ASA and soybean producers have worked very closely with Senator Lincoln on farm program and trade issues, biodiesel legislation, conservation programs, food aid, and a host of other priorities important to Arkansas and American soybean farmers.  She really cares about the issues facing farmers, and has been an effective and tireless advocate on our behalf.  Senator Lincoln is sometimes referred to as the "Energizer Bunny" because she works so hard on issues of importance to rural America and our state.  She will be an effective Chair of the Senate Ag Committee, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her."

• Mark Williams, President, Southwest Council of Agribusiness:

"The American farmer and rancher could not have a better friend in Washington than Senator Blanche Lincoln.  As a farm girl from Helena, Arkansas, she scouted rice levees growing up, so she knows what it's like to make ends meet on the farm."

"As a Congressman and as a Senator, she has stood up against powerful interests in defense of those who work hard every day to put clothes on our back, food on our tables, and fuel in our tanks.  And, as a person, Senator Lincoln is the genuine article.  These are the qualities people want in their leaders and that's what we have in the new Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee."

• U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Republican Member on the Senate Agriculture Committee:

“I want to congratulate Sen. Lincoln  who will be the new chair of the Committee.  She is perhaps one of the most well-versed members of this body when it comes to agriculture and rural policy.  I have a tremendous amount of respect for her and I am confident that under her leadership, we will continue to work on behalf of all agriculture.”

• U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01):

"I commend Senator Lincoln for her tireless efforts to protect our rural legacy and ensure a safe and affordable food and fiber supply for this country.  Her ascension to the Chairmanship of the powerful Senate Agriculture Committee is not only an asset for Arkansans - it is also a historic moment for the Senate.  Agriculture is important not only to our economy, but valued by many Arkansans as a way of life.  Our state and the Mid-South will certainly benefit from having its voice represented on this committee."

• Chairman Collin C. Peterson (MN), House Agriculture Committee:

“Senator Lincoln’s passion and support for American agriculture make her an excellent choice to chair the Senate Agriculture Committee. She grew up on a farm and knows first-hand how much hard work and dedication it requires. I look forward to working with her on the issues that matter to agriculture and rural America. I also want to commend Senator Harkin for his leadership and wish him well as he takes over the Chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.” 

• Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau President :

"Senator Lincoln has represented the interests of agriculture and rural America since her election to the House of Representatives as a moderate Democrat in 1992 and her election to the Senate in 1998. She has deep ties to farming and hails from a seventh-generation Arkansas farm family. We know she will continue to be a strong voice for our industry and will continue as a consistent leader on key Farm Bureau issues such as those that relate to farm policy, the environment and estate tax reform."

• Toby Bostwick, Chairman of the Board, National Sorghum Producers:

“The National Sorghum Producers has had a positive working relationship with Senator Lincoln and her staff during past agriculture policy debates.  Although much of U.S. sorghum production is in the Plains states, we have found Senator Lincoln to be extremely responsive and attentive to the needs of sorghum producers nationwide.  Her farm background and her commitment to agriculture are exciting.  We know she will continue the collaboration with rural America that we have come to expect from the Committee.”

• The American Sugar Alliance:

“Senator Lincoln has proven time and time again that she is a champion for production agriculture, and we are thrilled that she was chosen to lead the Senate Agriculture Committee. Hailing from Arkansas, Lincoln knows the importance of agriculture to the country’s economy and understands how vital it is for America to maintain a safe, affordable, and abundant supply of homegrown food and fiber. While sugar is not produced in her state, the Senator has been a strong supporter of sugar policy, and we look forward to working closely with her for years to come.”

• Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF):

“For the past 17 years, Senator Blanche Lincoln has championed the cause of America’s hard- working dairy farmers.  First as a member of the House Agriculture Committee and then through her service on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Lincoln has carried with her the same kind of firm commitment and common sense to achieving sound federal farm policy that she learned growing up on the family farm near Helena, Arkansas.  The National Milk Producers Federation joins dairy farmers from across the country in applauding Senator Lincoln’s selection as the new Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. NMPF looks forward to working with Senator Lincoln both today as we tackle very difficult times for the U.S. dairy producer community, and in the future, as we work to develop policies that will improve the well-being of America’s dairy producers.”
• Bob Dickey, President, National Corn Growers Association:

“Senator Lincoln has continued to be an advocate for the ag industry and we congratulate her on the newly appointed position as chairman of the Senate Ag Committee,” Dickey said.  “We’re grateful for the senator’s previous work for corn farmers and we look forward to working with her in the future on issues important to our members.”

•    National Chicken Council

“America’s chicken producer/processors congratulate Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas on her elevation to the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry,” the National Chicken Council said in a statement today.  “We have worked with Senator Lincoln on many occasions and have always been impressed by her interest, concern, and knowledge of the issues.  With Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia as the ranking minority member, the committee is being led by legislators with a strong interest in the poultry industry.”

•    Charles F. Conner, President, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

“On behalf of the members of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, I would like to congratulate Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas as she makes history in becoming the first woman, and the first Arkansan, to chair the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

“Senator Lincoln has a strong track record of supporting America’s farmers and ranchers, and she has been a stalwart supporter of America’s farmer-owned cooperatives, serving as one of the co-chairs of the Congressional Farmer Cooperative Caucus. The Senator’s chairmanship means that the agricultural community will continue to have a true friend and ally running this important committee.”

•    Scott Sutherland, Director of Governmental Affairs, Ducks Unlimited

“Ducks Unlimited applauds Senator Lincoln’s new role. We look forward to working with her and the committee to promote programs that help America’s farmers and ranchers conserve waterfowl habitat and preserve America’s hunting traditions.

“Senator Lincoln is a leader for conservation initiatives, and we look forward to working with her in her new role. Her commitment to protecting and restoring wetlands across the nation was the reason that Ducks Unlimited awarded her the 2007 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award, and she is a consistent champion of public-private partnership programs such as the Wetlands Reserve Program and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

“Senator Lincoln has been a champion for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for years, spearheading efforts year after year to ensure that the program, which has conserved more than 25 million acres across North America, is properly funded. As a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission she has been responsible for millions of acres of conserved wetlands and waterfowl habitat, contributing to the rich waterfowling legacy of her home state of Arkansas.”

•    CME Group

"We want to thank Senator Tom Harkin for his long-standing service and leadership during his tenure as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. We wish him continued success in his new important role as chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee. We also wish to congratulate Senator Blanche Lincoln who will take over as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. We look forward to working with Senator Lincoln to ensure that U.S. futures and options markets remain competitive, transparent, and safe for the farmers, ranchers, companies and investors who rely on our markets to manage their commercial and financial risks."

•    Steve Pringle, Legislative Director, Texas Farm Bureau

"We certainly could not ask for a stronger voice for cotton and rice producers and other Southern agriculture producers than we have in Blanche Lincoln," Pringle said.  "She has been a go-to person for the last few years and certainly will be in a lot stronger position in negotiating either the implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill or any other new legislative issues that will be coming before the Senate Agriculture Committee.”

•    Dane Jones, President, Cotton Warehouse Association of America       

“The Cotton Warehouse Association of America is proud to join U.S. cotton farmers from across the country in applauding the selection of U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln as the new Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  Time and again, when the American cotton industry has been singled out for unfair treatment in a Farm Bill, in a trade deal, or through burdensome regulation or taxes, Senator Lincoln has stepped into the fray to ensure that cotton is not given a raw deal.  In so doing, she has saved American jobs and helped make our economy stronger.”

•    Doug Albin, President, Minnesota Corn Growers Association

“At a time when powerful interests with unlimited financial resources continue to stack the deck against hard working American farm families, Senator Blanche Lincoln’s selection as the Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee could not be more timely,” said Doug Albin, a corn and soybean grower from Clarkfield, Minn., and president of MCGA. “As a farm girl growing up on a seventh generation family farm, and as a woman serving in a House and Senate dominated by men, Senator Lincoln has never shied away from a challenge or shrunk from a fight. For 17 years, Senator Lincoln has stood shoulder to shoulder with the American farm family.  And, today, we’re proud to stand and welcome Senator Lincoln as the new Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.”

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