News Release

Moscow – The testimony of Idahoans on farm policy will be included as Congress gathers input across the nation through more than a dozen field hearings regarding the next farm bill. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization, will conduct a field hearing Friday, August 11th, in Moscow regarding federal farm policy.

The hearing begins at 9:00 a.m. at the University of Idaho’s Menard Law Building. It will feature testimony from a number of Idaho interests from production agriculture to those who run Idaho’s food banks.

“Idaho’s agricultural diversity is remarkable,” Crapo said. “With more than 25,000 farmers and ranchers in Idaho producing more than 140 commodities, Idaho has an important voice to lend in writing the next farm bill,” Crapo said. “We will hear from witnesses representing various Idaho agricultural sectors, from conservationists, the Nez Perce Tribe, rural development advocates and nutrition groups.”

Crapo calls the Farm Bill “one of the most significant economic and environmental public policy initiatives in our nation,” but added it is being debated as the nation’s financial picture is changing. He said factors from world trade to federal budget constraints will play a role in the new farm bill.

“The 2002 Farm Bill was written at a time when our nation was anticipating a significant budget surplus. Then, costs of domestic terrorism and natural disaster recovery changed the picture—with increased government spending and contributing to a temporary slump in the U.S. economy,” Crapo said. “While the economy is steadily recovering, we must be very prudent with federal spending.”

“However, it remains clear that producers must have a proper safety net, broader foreign market access, and assistance with meeting the increased demands on our natural resources,” Crapo added. “The bottom line is we need to ensure that federal farm policy addresses the needs and complexities of agriculture while continuing to enable farmers and ranchers to provide a safe and abundant food supply, strengthening our rural communities and businesses, and supporting the stewardship of our rural lands. This is no small task.”

The hearing record will stay open for five business days past the Moscow event this Friday. Interested parties can send formal comments to Robert Sturm, Chief Clerk, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Room 328-A, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 20510-6000. Informal comments can be sent to Crapo’s website at http://www.crapo.senate.gov and the Senate Agriculture Committee’s website at http://www.agriculture.senate.gov.

Witness List Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation and Rural Revitalization Farm Bill Field Hearing

Friday, August 11, 2006 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

University of Idaho Menard Law Building 6th and Rayburn Streets Moscow, Idaho

Panel I

Mr. Tim Dillin Vice-President Idaho Grain Producers of Idaho Porthill, ID

Mr. Jim Evans Chairman USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council Idaho Dry Pea and Lentil Commission Genesee, ID

Mr. Mike Quesnell President Idaho Dairymen’s Association Twin Falls, ID

Mr. Keith Esplin Executive Director Potato Growers of Idaho Blackfoot, ID

Panel II

Mr. Kyle Hawley President Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts Moscow, ID Mr. Lloyd Knight Executive Director Idaho Cattle Association Roberts, ID

Mr. Laird Noh Trustee The Nature Conservancy of Idaho Kimberly, ID

Ms. Rebecca Miles Chairman Nez Perce Tribe Lapwai, ID

Mr. Terry Mansfield Deputy Director Idaho Department of Fish and Game On Behalf of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Boise, ID

Panel III

Dr. Gregory Bohach Associate Dean College of Agricultural and Life Sciences University of Idaho Moscow, ID

Ms. Lorraine Roach Board Member Idaho Rural Partnership Grangeville, ID

Ms. Christine Frei Executive Director Clearwater Economic Development Association Lewiston, ID

Mr. Roger Simon Executive Director The Idaho Food Bank Boise, ID

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