NEW YORK — Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump has tapped Alabama congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL4) to advise him on issues important to farmers as part of his newly-formed Agriculture Advisory Committee.
“I am honored to be a part of the Trump-Pence team and in particular this Agriculture Advisory Committee,” Aderholt told Yellowhammer. “I appreciate the confidence placed in me. Serving as Chairman of the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, I hope that I can bring attention to some of the issues, needs and concerns of our famers and agriculture community. I have seen first-hand the many ways the Obama Administration has put heavy burdens on our farmers, like the EPA’s excessive water rules. I have no doubt this type of overreach will continue under the administration of a President Hillary Clinton. That is one of the many reasons I want to help Mr. Trump any way I can in seeing that he is elected the next President of the United States.”
The Trump campaign said the committee will “provide pioneering new ideas to strengthen our nation’s agricultural industry as well as provide support to our rural communities.”
“The members of my agricultural advisory committee represent the best that America can offer to help serve agricultural communities,” said Mr. Trump. “Many of these officials have been elected by their communities to solve the issues that impact our rural areas every day. I’m very proud to stand with these men and women, and look forward to serving those who serve all Americans from the White House.”
According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, agriculture has a $70.4 billion impact on Alabama’s economy (the latest numbers are based on 2010 data).
“Top sectors are timber production and processing, $21.4 billion; poultry and egg, $15.1 billion; soybean, corn and wheat, $576.5 million; greenhouse, nursery and floriculture, $561.6 million; beef, $524.5 million; cotton, $290.1 million; peanuts, $211.4 million; and catfish, $158.2 million.”
RELATED: THANK A FARMER: The stunning impact of Alabama’s massive ag industry
With the formation of Trump’s Agriculture Advisory Committee, Rep. Aderholt joins his Alabama colleague Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as a top advisor on the campaign.
Sen. Sessions currently serves as chairman of Mr. Trump’s National Security Advisory Committee.
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