Farm Bill Meetings Set This Month

Washington, DC - Idahoans with questions about the 2008 Farm Bill enacted this spring by Congress can get answers at nine informational meetings planned around Idaho and sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo's staff will be joined by representatives from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies, including the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.

"These Farm Bill meetings are meant to provide information about the many programs in the 2008 Farm Bill, the status of the programs that USDA is working to implement and available sign-up deadlines and details," said Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. "Beyond traditional farm support, the comprehensive Farm Bill includes a wide range of conservation, rural development, beginning farmers and ranchers, specialty crop competitiveness, organic production and renewable energy incentives. There are also programs to assist with market access, address the impacts of disaster and much more. There have been many changes and additions to past Farm Bill programs, and I want to make sure that Idahoans have the information they need to truly make this important legislation helpful and accessible on the ground."

Crapo held a statewide townhall-style meeting with Idahoans in August. Information and a recording of the meeting are available at Crapo's website at http://crapo.senate.gov.

The 2008 Farm Bill resource and information meetings are planned at the following locations:

Wednesday, September 17th:
Rexburg 8:00 - 10:30 a.m. City Council Chambers, 12 North Center Street
Blackfoot 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Bingham County Courthouse, 501 North Maple Street
Burley 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. City Offices, 1401 Overland Street

Thursday, September 18th:
Jerome 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. City Council Chambers, 100 East Avenue A
Caldwell 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. Caldwell Public Library, 1010 Dearborn Street

Tuesday, September 23rd:
Sandpoint 8:00 - 10:30 a.m. Intermountain Community Bank, 414 Church Street
Plummer 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Community Center, 520 C Street
Genesee 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. PNW Growers Offices, 117 West Chestnut Street

Wednesday, September 24th
Nezperce 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Nezperce Hotel and Café, 312 Oak Street