The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee this week unanimously approved the nominations of Krysta Harden to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture and Robert Bonnie to serve as under secretary for natural resources and the environment.

Harden has been nominated to succeed Kathleen Merrigan in the second-highest post at USDA Bonnie, while Bonnie, who has been a senior advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, would succeed Harris Sherman in the post of natural resources under secretary.

During the confirmation hearing, Harden pledged to get a farm bill implemented as soon as Congress gets one done. “We’re ready. Y’all send us a farm bill, we’ll get it done in a timely and early manner and I hope to be leading that effort,” she said in response to questioning from Sen. Saxby Chambliss from her home state of Georgia.

Chambliss asked Bonnie about efforts to combat the rise of glyphosate-resistant pigweed. “This is a challenge across the country,” said Bonnie who noted that they are seeing some results from a Natural Resources Conservation Service pilot program. “This is a perfect example of where NRCS programs can both work on critical natural resource conservation challenges and improve the productive capacity of our farmers and ranchers to produce food and fiber.”Chambliss questions Harden and Bonnie