Concord, N.H. – Yesterday, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) was appointed by Congressional leadership to the House Agriculture Committee. Congresswoman Kuster served on the House Agriculture Committee for her first three terms in Congress.

“On the House Agriculture Committee, I will be well-positioned to advocate for the priorities of New Hampshire’s farmers and consumers in the agriculture industry, which contributes nearly one billion dollars to our state’s economy every year,” said Rep. Kuster. “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need to strengthen our agriculture supply chains, both to ensure the success of small farms as well as support families struggling with hunger. Congress must also do more to assist farmers and producers as they combat climate change and make their operations more sustainable. I’m grateful for this opportunity to bring the voices of Granite State farmers, dairy producers, rural communities, and more to this important Committee as we get to work.”

Representative Kuster served on the House Agriculture Committee for her first six years in Congress, where she was able to work across the aisle to get results for New Hampshire’s farmers, rural communities, those experiencing food insecurity, and more.

As a member of the Agriculture Committee and Conferee to the Farm Bill Conference Committee, Rep. Kuster fought for the inclusion of important New Hampshire priorities in the 2018 farm bill including measures that:

• Bolsters Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC): Authorized annual funding of $33 million, which is an increase of $3 million per year for 5 years. NBRC’s territory is expanded to include Cheshire and Belknap counties. Includes reauthorization language from Rep. Kuster’s bipartisan legislation, Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act.
• Strengthens Dairy Safety Net: The Conference Report repeals the flawed Margin Protection Program, and replaces it with a revamped Dairy Margin Coverage that offers flexible options and lower costs for dairy producers.
• Supports Veteran Farming: The Conference Report includes language from Kuster’s bill, the Veteran and Beginning Farmers Assistance Act, which helps fund “Armed to Farm” programs in New Hampshire.
• Supports Small Organic Farms: The Conference report includes policies advanced in Rep. Kuster’s Homegrown Organic Act that will support farmers that are transitioning to organic agriculture.
• Boosts Rural Development: Combats the opioid epidemic by authorizing USDA-Rural Development funding and authorizes $350 million per year for new broadband infrastructure.
• Protects Nutrition Assistance : Mandates no cuts to nutrition assistance while creating $1 billion in savings from administrative changes to avoid enrollment duplication.

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