Renewable fuels is definitely the hot topic of the day and the chief of USDA's Rural Development Division will be in Raleigh at the Southern Farm Show on Thursday, Feb. 1, telling farmers know how he views the outlook. U.S. Under Secretary Thomas Dorr will be addressing N.C. Agricultural Development Forum at 9:30 a.m.
Another important topic is the next farm bill and some of the speakers at the forum have some great inside knowledge on the progress and focus of the farm bill. Knowledgeable speakers at the forum include U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., the ranking minority member of the House Agriculture Committee; Rep Charles Stenholm, R-Tx.; Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation; National Grange President Bill Steel and Kenneth Auer, president and CEO of the Farm Credit Council.
The forum will include panelist discussions with congressional staff members and farm groups.
"The 2007 farm bill will surely be a hot topic in this session of Congress," says N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler. "Through this forum, we want to provide the agricultural community with an opportunity to gather information and give their opinions about federal farm bill programs pertaining to commodities, conservation, biomass research, alternative energy and risk management."
The N.C. Agricultural Development Forum is organized and sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For information, go to http://www.ncagr.com/paffairs/AgDevelopmentForum.htm, or contact Dewitt Hardee at (919) 733-7125 or dewitt.hardee@ncmail.net.