U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has been chosen to be the new chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, replacing Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas who was defeated in her re-election bid.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as we begin writing a new farm bill that once again recognizes the importance of America’s agricultural economy and rural communities,” Senator Stabenow said in a statement.

The American Farm Bureau Federation issued a statement congratulating Stabenow on the chairmanship. “With a proven track record as a proponent of Michigan’s agriculture industry, we are confident in Sen. Stabenow’s ability to provide leadership on the 2012 farm bill and other important issues related to agriculture and rural communities. Chairwoman Stabenow’s committee will play an important role as we look forward to the future of American agriculture.”

Senator Stabenow has served on the Agriculture committees in the Michigan legislature, U.S. House of Representatives and currently the U.S. Senate.