Thirty-one lawmakers spend their time outside of the nation’s capital farming, ranching or running cattle operations, according to a new Congressional Research Service report.
Twenty-three of these members hold spots on the House’s roster, while eight serve in the Senate, says the report, which is based on information compiled by Congressional Quarterly. When combined, they make up 5.7% of Congress’ overall membership.
Jonathan Coppess, an associate professor of agricultural policy at the University of Illinois, said he doesn't know how the current numbers compare to previous Congresses. But he thinks it's likely the number of farmer members has declined in the long-term due to a falling producer population and population shifts that have resulted in the loss of rural Congressional districts.
"We've certainly seen a decrease in the number of rural- or farm-dependent congressional districts and just the overall population's demographic shifts out of rural America into towns, suburbs, and cities," Coppess told Agri-Pulse.
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The report does not list the members’ names. However, Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, are well known for their farming backgrounds.
Meanwhile, Reps. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, Frank Lucas, R-Okla., John Duarte, R-Calif., Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., Jim Costa, D-Calif, and Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., are just a few of the producers that currently serve in the House.
The Senate contains seven restaurateurs, according to the report.
Two more members of Congress were listed as a rodeo announcer and an animal nutrition specialist, respectively. It’s unclear, however, which chamber they serve in. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., has been a rodeo announcer in the past.
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