EMERSON TO SERVE ON AG SUBCOMMITTEES

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will serve on two subcommittees of the House Agriculture Committee.

The subcommittees -- her two top choices -- are forestry, resource conservation and research, and general farm commodities.

"I think my two subcommittees will be the place to be to best represent the concerns of most 8th District farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses," Emerson said. "With many important deliberations and decisions facing us, southern Missouri agriculture must have a voice at the right policy-making tables."

The commodities subcommittee will oversee implementation of the farm bill passed in 1996. The other committees will focus on timber, natural resource conservation, agriculture research and extension, farm credit and rural development.

Since 8th District produces 35 percent of Missouri's commodities and encompasses four-fifths of the Mark Twain National Forest, about 1.2 million acres, representation on the panels is key, Emerson said.

"My subcommittee assignments should help to further advance what's already in place so we can move our region's ag-dependent economy forward in the days ahead," Emerson said.

Her goals include developing the district's timber industry and protecting resources through conservation.