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“Star-Studded” Wyoming Farm Bill Forum
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(from left) Northern Ag Network Newscaster Justin
Mills, Mark Rey, Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas, and Wyoming Department of
Agriculture Director John Etchepare
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The Wyoming State Fair in Douglas was the setting for a successful 2007 Farm
Bill Forum hosted by USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
Mark Rey. Also present for the forum were U.S. Senator Craig Thomas and Director
of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture John Etchepare who noted comments from
farmers, ranchers, and. other interested residents. Justin Mills, from the
Northern Ag Network, moderated the session.
For more than two hours, Wyoming citizens stepped to the microphone responded to
questions like, “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?” or “How should farm
policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country’s ability to
effectively compete in global markets?” Listening sessions are being held across
the nation with feedback from participants to be considered as new farm bill
policy is being developed.
Your contact is Nancy Atkinson,
NRCS public affairs specialist, at 307-261-6490.
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