Satellite Program to Advise Producers on Farm Bill

PULLMAN, Wash. — A satellite teleconference on the new farm bill will be broadcast to agricultural producers Monday, May 20.

The program will provide a general overview of issues producers need to understand to make decisions about their farming operations. These include the seven-year Production Flexibility Contracts sign-up (May 20-July 12), Conservation Compliance, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Reserve Program and Risk Management.

This program is a combined USDA effort involving the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Office of Risk Management, and Cooperative Extension in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

The program will be available for viewing nationally, with heavy participation expected in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Colorado and Wyoming.

After general presentations, agency representatives will be available to answer questions via fax or by telephone. Toll-free numbers will be announced during the program.

The broadcast can be viewed by turning satellite dishes to Satcom C1, Channel 22. Test and tone transmissions will begin at 5:45 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time. The program will be broadcast 6 a.m. – 7:29 a.m. The trouble number is (509) 335-9290.

Producers without satellite reception should contact their county Cooperative Extension office to find out where the nearest public viewing site will be.

Two additional satellite teleconferences are tentatively planned later in the year to provide additional information on the new farm bill.

For more information about this satellite conference, contact your local USDA office.

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