Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns last week announced the schedule of next Farm Bill Forums to be held as part of USDA’s nationwide Farm Bill listening tour. You are invited to attend and offer comments on farm bill policy.
"I'm very pleased with the caliber of the comments from producers and other stakeholders and we are beginning to identify trends in their responses," said Johanns. "The comments cover the entire spectrum from complete satisfaction to dissatisfaction with current farm policy. We have heard some very thought-provoking suggestions about how best to shape future farm policy."
| The Secretary and Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner will conduct the following Farm Bill Forums: |
- Sept. 27, 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (EDT), Orlando, Florida, Omni Orlando Resort, International Ballroom I, hosted by Secretary Johanns
- Oct. 5, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (CDT), Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech University Museum Auditorium, hosted by Secretary Johanns
- Oct. 14, Little Rock, Arkansas, time and location TBD, hosted by Deputy Secretary Conner
- Oct.18, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (EDT), Moultrie, Georgia, hosted by Secretary Johanns
- Oct. 21, Greeley, Colorado, time and location TBD, hosted by Secretary Johanns
- The following specialty Farm Bill Forums will be hosted by Natural Resources and Environment Under Secretary Mark Rey
- Oct. 1, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EDT), Berlin, Connecticut, Berlin Fair, 430 Beckley Road
- Oct. 14, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EDT), Narragansett, Rhode Island, Coastal Institute, University of Rhode Island
- Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (EDT), Harrington, Delaware, Delaware State Fair Grounds
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| The following specialty Farm Bill Forums will be hosted by Rural Development Under Secretary Tom Dorr: |
- Oct. 7, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (EDT) Elkins, West Virginia, Elkins Middle School
- Oct. 11, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 pm. (EDT) Bangor, Maine, Richard E. Dyke Center
- Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (EDT) Manchester, New Hampshire, Manchester Center
- Oct. 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (EDT) South Burlington, Vermont, Doubletree Hotel
- Nov. 12, Hawaii, time and location TBD, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Merlyn Carlson joins Under Secretary Dorr
- Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (EDT) New Brunswick, New Jersey, Hilton
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| The following specialty Farm Bill Forums will be hosted by Food Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Eric Bost: |
- Sept. 29, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EDT), New York City, New York, Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House Auditorium
- Sept. 30, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (MDT) Cheyenne, Wyoming, Little America Hotel
- Oct. 6, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (PDT) Oakland, California, Oakland Federal Building
- Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (EDT) Baltimore, Maryland, Enoch Pratt Public Library, Wheeler Auditorium
- Oct. 19, 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (EDT) Miami, Fla. Miami-Dade College
- Nov. 2, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EDT) Atlanta, Georgia, Atlanta Community Food Bank
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You are also welcome to submit your comments via the USDA Farm Bill Forums website at www.usda.gov/farmbill The dates, locations and times of the upcoming forums will continue to be announced on the website.
The National Grange also has a Farm Bill discussion board on the Grange’s website – click on National Grange Online Policy Room.
If you have any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst Chil-Sook Hwang by e-mail: chwang@nationalgrange.org by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109.
Are you a Grange member who is interested in discussing public policy issues with other Grange members? CLICK HERE
Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative program. |
