SPECIAL UPDATE: The Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on conservation, Strengthening Conservation through the 2012 Farm Bill, which was originally scheduled for February 29, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 28.

Today, Chairwoman Stabenow announced four Senate Agriculture Committee hearings on the 2012 Farm Bill in February and March.  The hearings will focus on the following topics:

• February 15: Energy and economic growth for Rural America
• February 29: Strengthening conservation through the 2012 Farm Bill
• March 7: Health food initiatives, local production, and nutrition
• March 21: Risk management and commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill

The Committee has yet to disclose witnesses and times for the hearings.

Last year, the Committee held a couple of field hearings and a few hearings in Washington, D.C., in preparation for the 2012 Farm Bill.  Hearings were put on hold last Fall while the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees crafted a farm bill proposal for the Super Committee.  With the failure of the Super Committee process, the Senate is resuming hearings on the 2012 Farm Bill.  Chairman Lucas has not yet announced any 2012 Farm Bill hearings in the House Agriculture Committee.