Cindy Axne recently began her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Iowa’s third district, which covers Des Moines, Council Bluffs and much of southwest Iowa. The Spokesman recently visited with Axne as she toured the district to talk about the importance of agriculture and rural development, the value of renewable fuels and the value she gained visiting her grandparents’ farm in Warren County.

Here are some excerpts of that discussion:

Q: After the election, you made it a priority to get a seat on the House Agriculture Committee. Why was that committee...