Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., has joined the House Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over water policy, domestic energy resources, all federal public lands, national forests and environmental regulations such as the Endangered Species Act.

Smith, who is already a member of the House Agriculture, Budget, and Science and Technology Committees, will continue to hold those seats in addition to his assignment to the National Resources Committee.

"Committee assignments are tremendously important," he said. "I am fortunate to have received assignments which have proved challenging, informative, and have provided opportunities to bring Nebraska priorities to Washington D.C.

"The opportunity to serve on the Natural Resources Committee is especially exciting as Congress deals with water rights, domestic energy production, and promoting a balanced management of our natural resources."

Smith will officially join the Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.V., next week when Congress returns from the President's Day district work period.

Speaker added to Governor's Ag Conference

Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach announced Thursday that Matt Sutton-Vermeulen from The Center for Food Integrity has been added to the lineup of speakers for the 20th Annual Governor's Ag Conference in Kearney.

Sutton-Vermeulen will discuss building consumer trust in the food system.

"As farmers, as ag policy leaders, and as agribusiness owners, we have a responsibility to tell the story of agriculture," Ibach said. "The Center for Food Integrity will help us understand how we go about doing that in a way that addresses consumer concerns."

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is still accepting registrations to the event, scheduled for March 4-5 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Kearney. Those interested in attending can register by calling NDA toll-free at 1-800-831-0550 until Feb. 27.

Pre-conference activities will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, with the "Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture" reception, featuring foods produced by Nebraska farmers and ranchers. The conference will convene at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 5.

Speakers previously announced include:

* John Huston, executive vice president emeritus with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, discussing domestic marketing opportunities and consumer trends.

* Tim Vala, owner and operator of Vala's Pumpkin Patch in Gretna, will highlight the growing opportunities available in agriculture.

* Mike Krueger, founder and president of The Money Farm, will discuss domestic and international markets and what the future holds for Nebraska agriculture.

* Anita Estes, a former Nebraska and National FFA officer, will talk about efforts to keep youth involved in agriculture.

Several members of Gov. Dave Heineman's cabinet will also be featured, including:

* Ann Bleed, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, who will talk about sustaining the use of our water in Nebraska.

* Richard Baier, director of the Department of Economic Development, who will focus on new opportunities developing around the renewable fuels industry.

* Mike Linder, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, who will talk about the importance of maintaining pristine environments within the agriculture industry.

The conference is open to anyone interested in learning more about the issues facing Nebraska agriculture. A $50 registration fee covers participation at both the conference and the Tuesday evening reception.

A detailed schedule is available online at http://www.agr.ne.gov.

Candidate forums set for Districts 33, 44

County Farm Bureaus in Legislative Districts 33 and 41 will be sponsoring candidate forums next month.

The forums give the public an opportunity to meet and question the candidates who are seeking to represent the district in the Nebraska Legislature. They are free and open to the public.

The Legislative District 33 forum will be held Tuesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings. Adams and Hall County Farm Bureaus are sponsoring the forum. The candidates seeking to represent District 33 Marvin Hughes and Dennis Utter have indicated they will participate. Brad Fossberg with KRGI Radio in Grand Island will serve as moderator.

The Legislative District 44 forum will be held Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at the St. Paul Legion Club in St. Paul. Antelope, Boone, Garfield, Greeley, Hall, Howard, Sherman/Valley and Wheeler County Farm Bureaus are sponsoring the forum.

Four of the five candidates seeking to represent District 41 Paul Eurek, Gary Rasmussen, Kate Sullivan and Jerome Warner have indicated they will participate. Gene McCoy with KNLV Radio in Ord will serve as moderator. KNLV will broadcast the forum live at 103.9 FM.

In each of the forms, candidates present will make opening remarks, then respond to written questions from the audience. Forums will last 90 minutes.

Buis: Rural America has renewable energy potential

National Farmers Union President Tom Buis on Friday commended U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel for their leadership on legislation that would spur production of clean, renewable energy from wind and biomass, and generate billions of dollars in investments in rural America.

NFU is urging all House members to support the legislation when it is brought to the floor.

In a letter to Pelosi and Rangel, Buis stated NFU's strong support for the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008.

"Not only does fostering renewable energy provide the opportunity for energy independence, it also provides a source for rural economic development that will significantly jump-start rural economies," Buis said. "Two provisions of this bill, extending the Production Tax Credit and authorizing funds for the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, are essential."

The legislation would extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for three years. "The PTC provides the most critical federal incentive to continue developing wind projects in rural communities," Buis said.

Buis also highlighted NFU's longtime support for the use of ethanol, biodiesel and other fuels from the farm to increase domestic demand for farm commodities and reduce our nation's reliance on foreign oil. The renewable fuels industry has achieved much success from the Renewable Fuels Standard first adopted by Congress in 2005 and expanded this past December.

"The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act builds upon prior successes and will help ensure the continued expansion of renewable fuels usage in the United States, foster the development of the cellulosic ethanol industry and continue to spur economic development in rural America," Buis said.