Western Massachusetts will have ample representation on a new legislative committee focusing on agriculture.
Sens. Ann Gobi, D-Spencer, and Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, were named Senate chair and co-chair of the new Agriculture Committee while Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, will serve as vice chair on the House side, with Rep. Paul Schmid, D-Westport, as House chair.
The panel was created as part of the new committee assignments announced by House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy, and Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, earlier this month. Previously there was an Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee.
“I’m excited, part of what my job is in the Senate is to advance my own position on behalf of constituents,” said Comerford, who will also serve as Senate chair of the Higher Education Committee and assistant vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Northampton Democrat’s other assignments include committees focusing on economic development and emerging technologies, racial equity, civil rights and inclusion and Senate committees on global warming and climate change, and rules.
Comerford said there are hundreds of farms that continue to be underrepresented in the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester district. She said that this new and focused committee will help farmers and their “bottom lines.”
Among the bills it will consider are five Comerford has filed, including measures strengthening local food systems and promoting equity in agriculture.