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Johanns Plans Farm Bill Forum at 2005 Farm Progress Show

The "Super Bowl of Farm Shows" will host Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns at the 2005 Farm Progress Show for a Farm Bill Forum.

Johanns is scheduled to hold the listening forum Sept. 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the show site in Decatur, Illinois. More details on the location will be available on the Farm Progress Show Web Site the week of the show.

"I'm learning a great deal from the people participating in the Farm Bill Forums," says Johanns. "These forums present a tremendous opportunity for the citizens we serve to have a voice in the development of a new farm bill."  

The public is invited to attend and offer comments on farm bill policy. When participating in the forums, the public is encouraged to respond to one or more of the following six questions. The format of the forum will also allow an open comment period for general farm bill comments.

1. 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?

2. How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country's ability to effectively compete in global markets?

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?

The public is also welcome to submit their comments via the USDA Farm Bill Forums Web site at www.usda.gov/farmbill.

The Farm Progress Show runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 at its new semi-permanent site on the east side of Decatur near Richland Community College. Continue to check www.farmprogressshow.com for further details.