Ernst Highlights Iowa Agriculture and Research, Shares Cybersecurity Concerns at 2023 Farm Bill Hearing
Ernst, who grew up on a family farm in Southwest Iowa, is ranking member of the Senate Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young on issues impacting Iowa farmers and highlighted the important partnerships the Farm Bill enables with our land-grant universities, like Iowa State University.
Specifically, Ernst asked Dr. Jacobs-Young about current efforts to combat cybersecurity threats that pose risks to our agriculture industry and food supply chain, like last year’s ransomware attacks on JBS and NEW Cooperative, and targeted attacks on precision agriculture and intellectual property.
The senator also asked how USDA intends to use data-driven research around carbon to ensure farmers and producers make the best decisions for their operations. Ernst, who grew up on a family farm in Southwest Iowa, emphasized the importance of the agency engaging with farmers in research, education, and outreach.
Click here or on the image above to watch the full line of questioning.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held the hearing to review agricultural research programs authorized under the current Farm Bill, and to lay the groundwork for writing the Research Title of the 2023 Farm Bill.
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