Alabama farmers have a new advocate for agricultural funding with the appointment of U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholdt, R-Ala., as chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee for the House Committee on Appropriations.

In addition to Aderholt’s appointment, Alabama farmers are well represented on the House Committee on Agriculture with the reappointment of U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Ala., and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., who previously served on the Ag Committee, returning as a senior member.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., served on the House Committee on Agriculture during the 112th Congress. She recently was named to the House Financial Services Committee, however, her other committee assignments for the 113th Congress have not been finalized. If reappointed to the Ag Committee, she would give Alabama the prestigious distinction of having three members on the committee.

Alabama Farmers Federation National Legislative Programs Director Mitt Walker said committee assignments are critical to helping shape policy in Washington.

“Having members of the Alabama delegation serving on these key committees providing oversight of agricultural programs is extremely important to the farmers of our state,” Walker said. “We are pleased to have members of our delegation in positions to really influence agricultural policy in Washington and look forward to working with them and the entire delegation as the 113th Congress gets underway.”

Aderholt said it is a privilege to serve as chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee, but noted a number of challenges are ahead.

“From the lack of a long-term farm bill, to much-needed FDA oversight, to the challenges the Commodities Future Trading Board faces with the uncertainty of newly implemented laws and regulations imposed by the administration, it is clear we should have a pretty busy year,” Aderholt said.

In addition to the Alabama Congressmen serving on the Ag Committee, Walker said the state’s farmers would benefit from the move of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., to the position of the highest-ranking Republican member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Cochran’s departure as the ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations elevated U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., to the highest-ranking Republican on this influential committee.