LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor has been named the chairman of a Senate subcommittee overseeing agriculture-related appropriations.

Pryor announced Wednesday that he'll head the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies. The Democrat from Arkansas says that as chairman, he'll be responsible for funding federal programs that benefit farmers, producers and rural communities.

Pryor's subcommittee also funds the FDA — which in Arkansas, oversees the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson County.

The University of Arkansas says agriculture is the state's largest industry, contributing an estimated $17 billion to the state's economy each year.