Farm Bill Satellite Teleconferences Nov. 1 and 22

PULLMAN, Wash. — Two satellite teleconferences will be broadcast in November to help farmers and ranchers understand new federal farm programs.

“Risk is Not a Four Letter Word” will be offered from 8 -10 a.m., Nov. 1. The program will outline how changes in federal policy affect farmers’ and ranchers’ risk positions.

The program will show farmers and ranchers how to assess the financial ability of their operations to withstand risk, give an overview of how to use futures, hedging and crop insurance and show how to develop a risk management plan.

Ken Ackerman, acting administrator of the new U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, will analyze where federal policy changes are taking U.S. agriculture and how those changes will impact risk positions.

Speakers will address critical changes in USDA cost share programs, program name changes, conservation compliance and where to get help in complying with provisions of the new farm bill in a program to be broadcast from 8-10 a.m. on Nov. 22.

Presenters will answer phoned and faxed questions at the end of each broadcast. Toll-free numbers will be announced during the programs.

You can downlink either program directly by setting your satellite system to the C-Band, Telestar 401, channel 17, 97 degrees west with a downlink frequency of 4040 MHz vertical. A test pattern will begin at 7:45 a.m. before each program.

Contact your Washington State University Cooperative Extension county office to learn the nearest public viewing site if you don’t have a TV equipped for satellite viewing.

The teleconferences are sponsored by the USDA Farm Service Agency, the USDA Risk Management Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and WSU Cooperative Extension.

Call the Extension Satellite Hotline at 1-(800) 550-3330 for trouble shooting help and for information on other satellite broadcasts offered by WSU Cooperative Extension.

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