NCGA
Encourages Growers to Take Part in USDA Farm Bill Listening Sessions
(6-28-05)
National Corn
Growers Association (NCGA) Public Policy Action Team Chairman Steve
Pigg encourages grower members to participate in the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) farm bill listening sessions. The first listening
session will be held July 7 in Nashville, Tenn.
The USDA recently
announced it will conduct several farm bill listening sessions throughout
the year to gauge farmer and rancher opinions on how well the current
bill is working and what can be done to improve farm policy.
“I believe
very strongly that they [farmers and ranchers] deserve a voice in
this process,” Agriculture Secretary Johanns said when announcing
the forum.
“We are
quite excited Secretary Johanns is engaging growers on the farm policy
bill which directly impacts growers’ livelihoods,” said
Pigg. “NCGA plans to be fully engaged in the many discussions
that will take place on policy decisions that will affect every aspect
of growers’ production operations. We are also encouraging all
of our grower members to attend or participate via telephone in these
forums. These sessions offer the opportunity to make sure our voice
is heard as the administration evaluates the current farm bill and
considers the direction of future farm policy.”
During the July
7 session, which will be broadcast from from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. central
daylight time at RFD-TV Northstar Studios in Nashville, USDA is seeking
input on the following questions:
1.
How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness
and our country's ability to effectively compete in global markets?
2. How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and
ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the
next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?
3. How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly distribute
assistance to producers?
4. How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental
goals?
5. How can federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance
in rural areas?
6. How should agricultural product development, marketing and research-related
issues be addressed in the next farm bill?