Addressing the attendees to the Agri-Pulse reception last night was Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwomen, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. I visited with her briefly after her remarks.

I first asked her what she thought about the importance of the work that’s being done by groups like USFRA which held a Food Dialogues event prior to the reception. The Senator says “It is so important that we have farmers and ranchers that are coming in and sharing what they’re doing.” She says how agriculture touches our lives is very broad since it’s more than just food. It includes energy, jobs in agricultural manufacturing and bio-based manufacturing and the list goes on and on. She says “the reality is that agriculture is about our way of life.”

I also asked her what she thinks about a statement I heard last week about the the need to maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard being more important than the Farm Bill. She says, “They’re both important. We need both.”

Listen to my interview with Senator Stabenow here: Interview with Senator Debbie Stabenow

USFRA Dialogues and Agri-Pulse Reception Photos
2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album