Crapo Announces Farm Bill Meetings

Washington, DC â?? The makeup of the 2007 Farm Bill will be up for discussion as Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who chairs a Senate Agriculture subcommittee on rural issues, opens a series of Farm Bill listening sessions around Idaho next month. Crapo, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation and Rural Revitalization, will host a number of the Idaho listening sessions. The meetings will cover all of the proposed titles in the Farm Bill including Conservation, Energy, Commodities, Research, Trade, Rural Development, and Credit issues. Crapoâ??s Farm Bill listening sessions come as the Senate Agriculture Committee contemplates a 2007 Farm Bill, the World Trade Organization seeks cuts in farm subsidies worldwide, and Crapo has introduced a bill to improve the Endangered Species Act. All issues will be on the table during the hearings, which will run through January. The hearings are co-sponsored by the Idaho Farm Bureau. Representatives from federal and state agencies, including the Farm Services Agency and Idaho Rural Partnership will also attend. Crapo will attend the following hearings. Due to scheduling conflicts, he will not be able to personally attend every meeting throughout Idaho.Senator Crapo Hosts Idaho Farm Bill Hearings:January 3 8:00 a.m. Sandpoint, Sandpoint Ranger Station, 1500 U.S. Highway 2 11:00 a.m. Post Falls, U of I Research Park, 721 Lochsa Street 8:00 p.m. Caldwell, Canyon County Courthouse, 1115 Albany StreetJanuary 4 Noon Gooding, Toponis Restaurant, 413 Main Street January 13 7:00 p.m. Burley, City Council Chambers, 1401 Overland RoadJanuary 14 11:00 a.m. Blackfoot, Potato Expo, 130 N.W. Main Street 3:00 p.m. Rexburg, City Hall, 12 N. Center Street Crapoâ??s State Director for Agriculture, Don Dixon, will also moderate meetings planned for: Plummer, Potlatch, Genesee, Lewiston, Lapwai, Craigmont, Weiser, Duck Valley, Arco, Hailey, Twin Falls, American Falls, Fort Hall, Pocatello, Malad, and Soda Springs. Dates and locations for these meetings are still being finalized and will be announced soon.