Published: June 19, 2006 08:44 am      

Madison farmers to have voice in new bill

Madison County farmers soon will have a chance to give input regarding information to be included in the updated federal farm bill.

Kentucky Farm Bureau will host the third in a series of eight statewide Farm Bill Speak-Up meetings beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Perkins Building on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus.

The meeting is geared to solicit input from Kentucky farmers on content and direction of new farm program legislation.

The meeting is hosted by Kentucky’s Farm Bill Core Committee, made up of Kentucky Farm Bureau directors and advisory committee chairs.

Core Committee Chairman Eddie Melton, a row crop producer in Webster County, notes that the eight regional speak-up sessions will allow farmers from all areas of the state to take part in the process.

“Kentucky is a very diverse agricultural state and we want to develop a consolidated plan for a new farm bill that is reflective of that diversity,” he said.

The Farm Bill is also known as the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. It was to govern Federal farm programs for six years.

Its provisions support the production of a reliable, safe and affordable supply of food and fiber; promote stewardship of agricultural land and water resources; facilitate access to American farm products at home and abroad; encourage continued economic and infrastructure development in rural America; and ensure continued research to maintain an efficient and innovative agricultural and food sector, according to usda.gov.

The bill contains wide-ranging provisions that affect all families, including nutrition programs, rural development funds and energy and environmental sections, said Kentucky Farm Bureau President Marshall Coyle.

“We expect that Congress will consider some sweeping changes in the farm bill and we want to make sure that the new legislation will meet the needs of Kentucky farmers and rural communities,” Coyle said.

Policy analysts in Washington expect serious work on the new farm hill to get under way in early 2007, with final enactment happening in late 2007 or early 2008.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns conducted 52 farm bill meetings in 2006, including one in Louisville.

“For me, there is no better way to understand the challenges and opportunities in agriculture than to be with and listen to the people whose lives are affected by the policies we enact,” Johanns said. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all those who submitted comments. Thank you for making your voices heard and providing the foundation for USDA's exploration of the best course for future farm policy.”

The meetings will be conducted as a public forum and there will not be a structured presentation, said Terri Bradshaw, public relations director for Kentucky Farm Bureau.

“A core committee, which is a group of about 12 people, will just be there to listen,” she said.

“After these sessions, the committee will take the information and formulate a policy that Kentucky Farm Bureau will promote to congress in an effort to get what Kentucky farmers need in this farm bill.”

For more information regarding the June meeting, call Bradshaw at 502-495-5191.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.