Discussions on the 2007 Farm Bill are already underway. This is the time to tell USDA how important the renewable energy grant program is for rural communities and farmers and that we want to see it expanded.

JOHANNS ANNOUNCES NEXT FARM BILL FORUM VENUES

NASHVILLE, TN, July 7, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the location of the next three U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill Forums before a full-capacity audience of more than 400 stakeholders who attended the kick-off of USDA's nationwide farm bill listening tour in Nashville, TN.

"The interest in the next farm bill shown here today has exceeded my expectations," Johanns said. "The thoughtful discourse on the direction of future farm policy is very encouraging and I look forward to the same caliber of discussion at future Farm Bill Forums as we continue our nationwide tour."

The Secretary announced the following Farm Bill Forums:

* July 26 - 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (CST) North Dakota State Fair - Minot, ND
* Aug. 3 - 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Minnesota Farm Fest - Redwood County, MN
* Aug. 4 - 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Wisconsin State Fair - West Allis, WI
* Aug. 11 - 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (CST), Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, IA

The public is also welcome to submit comments via the USDA Farm Bill Forums website at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sarah Johnson,

More information on the MN Farm Bill forum here:

http://www.farmfest.com/farm/ffst/index.po

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sarah Johnson,

I attended the Farm Bill listening session at Farm Fest in Minnesota this week. It was an excellent opportunity to talk directly to the Secretary of Agriculture, who will be leading the Administration's 2007 Farm Bill work. It's important that he keeps hearing that farmers see opportunities in wind and renewable energy. The Secretary mostly just listened, but sometimes responded to people's questions or ideas.

There will be forums in most states between now and the end of the year. Watch http://www.usda.gov/farmbill for upcoming forums. Or, if you can't make it to the forum, submit comments online at the http://www.usda.gov/farmbill.