Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney rolled out an 83-member group of influential Republican policymakers to form his Farm and Ranchers for Romney coalition.

The national chairs for the committee include Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., a former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, as well as former Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner, now president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey, Kentucky Ag Commissioner James Comer and Florida Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam are also designated as national chairs of the group.

“I’m honored to have so many farmers and ranchers standing with my campaign,” said Mitt Romney.

“They are the backbone of America and play a critical role in ensuring Americans across the country have access to safe and affordable food. The fruit of their labor nourishes the world, and I admire their hard work in harvesting our country’s bountiful resources. Our farmers and ranchers also have a critical role in the health of our economy, employing millions of Americans. I’m grateful to have their support in my efforts to turn around the economy and strengthen the middle class.”

Including Johanns, the list of other co-chairs and advisors includes nine U.S. senators, of which seven are members of the Agriculture Committee. Another 20 congressmen are on the list, of which 15 are members of the House Agriculture Committee.

Commissioner Adam Putnam said, “As Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner, I’m proud to be supporting Governor Romney’s campaign to get this country moving in the right direction again. While agriculture in America has its own set of unique challenges, farmers are looking for a leader in the White House who knows how the private sector works. Throughout the past three and a half years, President Obama has demonstrated in both his rhetoric and his policies that he lacks that understanding. I’m confident that Governor Romney’s experience and vision will restore a brighter future for all Americans.”

Senator Mike Johanns said, “Having served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and represented Nebraskans as both Governor and Senator, I’m familiar with the challenges and opportunities throughout rural America. From ranches to family farms, the heartland helped build this nation and agriculture remains part of the very fabric that binds it together. President Obama’s policies have failed to reinvigorate our economy, and even worse, his regulatory overreach stifled growth and cost jobs. Once a man of soaring rhetoric, his words now diminish the labor and sacrifice of all Americans by saying they didn’t build their businesses. I grew up on a farm and know that success is not the result of government action, but rather individual initiative and hard work. Mitt Romney understands the power of free enterprise and its ability to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit. As president, he will not only jumpstart economic growth in this country, but also carefully tend to the needs of agricultural producers and rural communities.”

Former USDA Deputy Secretary Charles Conner said, “I was raised on a family farm, and having policies which help agriculture thrive is close to my heart. That’s one of the reasons why I’m supporting Mitt Romney. The task of turning around our economy so it works for all Americans will not be an easy one, but I’m confident Governor Romney will deliver. Having spent most of his career in the private sector, he knows why President Obama’s policies have ill-served economic growth and the jobs that only free enterprise can create.”

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said, “Here in Iowa, farmers and ranchers form a key role in powering our economy. Over the course of the past three and a half years, President Obama hasn’t made good on the promises of his campaign four years ago, and the impact of his economic policies has been devastating throughout the country. The need for a new direction and fresh leadership in the White House could not be clearer, and I believe Mitt Romney will provide both.”

National Co-Chairs

Secretary John Block

Secretary Ed Schafer

Secretary Clayton Keith Yeutter

*Sen. Pat Roberts (KS)

Sen. Jerry Moran (KS)

Sen. Roy Blunt (MO)

*Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA)

*Sen. John Hoeven (ND)

*Sen. Thad Cochran (MS)

*Sen. Saxby Chambliss (GA)

*Sen. John Boozman (AR)

*Rep. Frank Lucas (OK)

*Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA)

*Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX)

*Rep. Mike Conaway (TX)

*Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (NE)

*Rep. Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (PA)

*Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN)

*Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH)

*Rep. Scott Tipton (CO)

*Rep. Steve Southerland (FL)

*Rep. Rick Crawford (AR)

*Rep. Tim Huelskamp (KS)

*Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL)

*Rep. Reid Ribble (WI)

Rep. Jack Kingston (GA)

Rep. Stephen Fincher (TN)

Rep. Cory Gardner (CO)

Rep. Tom Latham (IA)

*Rep. Kristi Noem (SD)

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA)

Alabama Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black

Kansas Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Michael Strain

Michigan Agriculture Director Jamie Clover Adams

Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith

South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers

Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples

Utah Agriculture Commissioner Leonard Blackham

Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Ben Brancel

*Member of the House or Senate Agriculture Committee

National Advisory Board

Former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jack Parnell

Former Agriculture Secretary Bill Even, South Dakota

Former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Gen “A.G.” Kawamura, California

Former Agriculture Secretary Don Ament, Colorado

Bryan Black, Past President, National Pork Producers Council

Al Montna, Former Chairman, USA Rice Federation

Chris Policinski, CEO, Land O'Lakes

Greg Ibach, Director – Nebraska Department of Agriculture

J.D. Alexander – President, National Cattleman’s Beef Association

The Honorable Randy Russell, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Agriculture

Katie Smith – Former Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture

John Miller— Former CEO, National Beef Packing Company

Steve Troxler – North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner

The Honorable Leland Strom

John Johnson, former USDA Deputy Administrator

Charles Kruse, former Missouri Farm Bureau President

Nathan Sanderson Ph.D., Agriculture Policy Advisor to South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard

Tom Stenzel, President, United Fresh Produce Association

Jim Magagna, Wyoming

Hobey Bauhan, Virginia

Jay Vroom

Beau Greenwood

Sam Moore, Kentucky

James Moody, Cold Creek Farms

Bruce Nelson, Former Chairman, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council

Dan Wyant, Past Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture

Mike Yost, Past Chairman and President, American Soybean Association

Former U.S. Senator Duncan Faircloth (NC)

Former U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes (NC), Chairman, NC Republican Party

Trent Bushner, former President Colorado Corn Growers

Robert Bray, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association

Mike Firestine, Pennsylvania

Dave Armstrong, GreenStone Farm Credit Services

Richard Ebert, Vice President of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau