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NCGA Reminds Growers, Corn Affiliates of October Farm Bill Listening Sessions (10-4-05)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns has announced the
October schedule of farm bill listening sessions and the National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) encourages its members and state corn grower organizations
to participate and offer key input for future policies directly affecting their
livelihoods.
“The farm bill forums provide a unique
opportunity for corn growers throughout the country to meet with
Secretary Johanns and other top USDA officials to discuss how farm
policy has and continues to impact their farm operations,” said
Steve Pigg, NCGA Public Policy Action Team chairman. “These
discussions allow growers to offer direct input as USDA begins to
prepare for the next farm bill and develop beneficial programs for
U.S. farmers.”
Johann’s said that during these sessions he has heard positive
and negative comments about the current farm policy as well as “thought-provoking” suggestions
about how best to shape future farm policy.
Johanns and Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner will conduct
the farm bill forums. Specialty forums are also scheduled. The October
schedule includes:
- Oct. 5, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. (CDT) Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech University
Museum Auditorium, hosted by Johanns
- Oct. 14, Little Rock, Ark., time and location to be determined,
hosted by Conner
- Oct.18, 2 p.m.- 5 p.m. (EDT) Moultrie, Ga., hosted by Johanns
- Oct. 24, 2 p.m.- 5 p.m. (MDT) Greeley, Colo., location TBD, hosted
by Johanns
The following specialty Farm Bill Forums will be hosted by Natural
Resources and Environment Under Secretary Mark Rey:
- Oct. 14, 9 a.m.- noon (EDT) Narragansett, R.I., Coastal Institute,
University of Rhode Island
- Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (EDT) Harrington, Del., Delaware
State Fair Grounds
The following specialty Farm Bill Forums will be hosted by Rural
Development Under Secretary Tom Dorr:
- Oct. 7, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. (EDT) Elkins, W. Va., Elkins Middle School
- Oct. 11, 3 p.m.- 6 pm. (EDT) Bangor, Maine, Richard E. Dyke Center
- Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. (EDT) Manchester, N.H., Manchester
Center
- Oct. 26, 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. (EDT) South Burlington, Vt., Doubletree
Hotel
- Nov. 12, Hawaii, time and location TBD, Deputy Under Secretary
for Natural Resources and Environment Merlyn Carlson joins Under
Secretary Tom Dorr
- Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (EDT) New Brunswick, N.J., Hilton
The following specialty Farm Bill Forums will be hosted by Food
Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Eric Bost:
- Oct. 6, 9 a.m.- noon (PDT) Oakland, Calif., Oakland Federal Building
- Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. (EDT) Baltimore, Md., Enoch Pratt
Public Library, Wheeler Auditorium
- Oct. 19, 1:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. (EDT) Miami, Fla., Miami-Dade College
- Nov. 2, 9 a.m.- noon (EDT) Atlanta, Ga., Atlanta Community Food
Bank
The forums are open to the public. Additionally, the public is invited
to submit comments online at www.usda.gov/farmbill.
Last
reviewed October 4, 2005
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