Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., announced today that he will chair the Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food and Agricultural Research subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee (say that five times fast) in this Congress. The leadership post will allow him a bigger platform for his child nutrition work and aid to farmers of specialty crops (fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs, and the like). And, oh by the way, it could help him pick up a few farm community votes in the "T" on the campaign trail next year.

“By chairing this subcommittee, Pennsylvania farm families, especially specialty crop farmers, will have a stronger voice in the upcoming debate on the Farm Bill,” he said in a statement.  “I look forward to working with my colleagues on policies that promote Pennsylvania agriculture and better help Pennsylvania’s farm families.”