DECATUR, IL, Sept. 1, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the next series of Farm Bill Forum's today. The public is invited to attend and offer comments on farm bill policy.

"I'm learning a great deal from the people participating in the Farm Bill Forums," said Johanns. "These forums present a tremendous opportunity for the citizens we serve to have a voice in the development of a new farm bill."

The Secretary will conduct the following Farm Bill Forums:

• Sept. 12, Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson, Kansas
• Sept. 14, Salt Lake City, Utah State Fair
• Sept. 15, Grand Island, Nebraska, Husker Harvest Days
• Sept. 20, Farm Science Review, London, Ohio
• Sept. 22, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State Fair

The following specialty Farm Bill Forum will be hosted by Natural Resources and Environment Under Secretary Mark Rey:

• Sept. 6, 1:00-4:00 p.m. (MDT), Blackfoot, Idaho, Idaho State Fair, West Event Center Free Stage

The following specialty Farm Bill Forum will be hosted by Rural Development Under Secretary Tom Dorr:

• Sept. 7, 12:00-3:00 p.m. (CDT), Huron, South Dakota, S.D. State Fair, Huron Dakota Land Stage

The following specialty Farm Bill Forum will be hosted by Food Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Eric Bost:

• Sept. 29, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EDT), New York City, N.Y., Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House Auditorium
• Sept. 30, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (MDT) Cheyenne, Wyo., Little America Hotel

The Secretary has now conducted forums in Tennessee, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, California and Pennsylvania, Alabama, New Mexico, Kentucky and Illinois. Forums have also been conducted by top USDA officials in Indiana, Wyoming and Alaska.

When participating in the forums, the public is encouraged to respond to one or more of the following six questions. The format of the forum will also allow an open comment period for general farm bill comments.

1.How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?

2.How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country's ability to effectively compete in global markets?

3.How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly distribute assistance to producers?

4.How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?

5.How can Federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas?

6.How should agricultural product development, marketing and research-related issues be addressed in the next farm bill?

The public is also welcome to submit their comments via the USDA Farm Bill Forums website at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill

Throughout 2005, Johanns and other senior USDA officials will participate in the Farm Bill Forums that will be held across the country. The dates, locations and times of the forums will continue to be announced as they are scheduled and posted on the USDA website.