With changes and additions to the farm bill hearings and briefings schedules of late, we are issuing this update for our readers, pulling the information together in one place.
Two Hearings Remain for Senate Agriculture Committee
Wednesday, March 7, 9:30 AM – Healthy Food Initiatives, Local Production, and Nutrition: A hearing on policies to assist the development of local markets for farmers. NSAC is sponsoring Arkansas farmer Jody Hardin as one of the witnesses.
Wednesday, March 14, 10 AM – Risk Management and Commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill: A hearing to evaluate the need and cost effectiveness of commodity and crop insurance safety net programs.
One Business Meeting, Four Field Hearings on Tap for House Agriculture Committee
Wednesday, March 7, 9 AM – Business meeting in DC to approve the Committee’s “budget views and estimates” letter to the Budget Committee. The House Budget Committee, if it produces a budget resolution that is approved on the House floor, will establish the budget parameters for the farm bill.
Field Hearings
Friday, March 9, 9 AM – Saranac Lake, NY, with Representative Bill Owens (D-NY-23)
Friday, March 23, 9 AM CDT – Galesburg, IL, with Representative Robert Schilling (R-IL-17)
Friday, March 30, 9 AM CDT – State University, AR, with Representative Rick Crawford ((R-AR-1)
Friday, April 20, 9 AM CDT – Dodge City, KS, with Representative Tim Huelskamp (R-KS-1)
Farm Bill Briefings in Washington, D.C.
NSAC is sponsoring a House and a Senate briefing on beginning farmer and rancher issues in the farm bill this coming Monday, March 5, with beginning farmers coming to DC from CA, NE, MN, and SD to tell their stories and talk about their needs in the farm bill.
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies is hosting a briefing and press conference on a Healthy Water Initiative for the farm bill on March 6. NSAC’s Policy Director, Ferd Hoefner, is participating.
NSAC is joining a large number of conservation organizations in sponsoring a briefing on conservation compliance issues for the 2012 Farm Bill on March 15.
For more detailed information, see the Senate and House Agriculture Committee websites.