Minnesota House Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman has announced that State Rep. Jeanne Poppe will chair the House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Committee for the 2019-20 biennium.

The Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Committee will be tasked with overseeing and financing several state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and the Board of Animal Health.

According to a press release, the agencies are responsible for loans under the rural finance authority, licensing, farm incentives and food safety. 

“It’s a wonderful honor to be given this responsibility,” Poppe said. “I look forward to working on agricultural and rural issues with my colleagues in the Legislature and Gov. Walz. For my part, I will do all I can to prioritize and showcase the importance of agriculture in Minnesota. Our agriculture sector has faced some financial and emotional challenges in the past few years; I look forward to working together to solve problems and creating opportunities for success and sustainability.”

The Legislative session will begin Jan. 8.