During the 2005-2006 Session, the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee handled the following topics through committee or informational meetings: amendments to the Agriculture Area Security Law (House Bills 619, 629 and 671 and Senate Bills 723 and 940), nutrient management, livestock issues (House Bill 1580) including the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), land conservation (House Bill 1895 and Senate Bill 1224), farmers' market development program ( House Bill 2472), the Federal Farm Bill of 2007, fireworks (House Bill 2349), Pennsylvania Farm Link and the Asian Bird Flu and its implication on Pennsylvania.

In addition to the topics mentioned above, the Committee held three public hearings: one on restaurant inspection and food safety and two on crop damage caused by deer. The official transcripts for these public hearings can be acquired via the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives Public Hearing Transcript Database.

The Meetings, Tours and Public Hearing files in this collection contain attendance and vote records and minutes of the meetings. In Folder 13 and Folder 25, background research or testimony is included.

Republican Arthur Hershey chaired the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee during the 2005-2006 Session. Sheila Miller served as Majority Vice Chair and David Millard served as Majority Secretary. Peter Daley served as Minority Chair, Frank LaGrotta served as Minority Vice Chair, and Richard Grucela served as Minority Secretary.