Republican Presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney has named several well-known figures in farm policy circles to his Agriculture Advisory Committee. Co-chairing advisory committee are Nebraska GOP Senator and former USDA Secretary Mike Johanns and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. Johanns says the 11-member panel looks forward to providing counsel to Romney on farm issues and to welcoming a new era of agricultural policy under a new president.

The other Romney ag advisers are: Nebraska Ag Department Director Greg Ibach; National Council of Farmer Cooperatives CEO and former USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner; former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Bill Even; Randy Russell, President of the Russell Group; former California Food and Agriculture Secretary A. G. Kawamura; former Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Katie Smith; former USA Rice Federation Chairman Al Montna; Land O’Lakes President and CEO Chris Policinski; and Western Growers Association President and CEO Tom Nassif.

Calling agriculture an integral part of the U.S. economy – Romney says as president – he will work to ensure a steady, safe and affordable food supply for all Americans.