HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO LEND A HAND AT UPCOMING NFACT 2002 FARM BILL FORUM IN UKIAH

SACRAMENTO, January 4, 2001-The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has invited high school students to assist with the upcoming NFACT/California 2002 Farm Bill forum in Ukiah on Tuesday, January 9, 2001. Students from Ukiah High School, currently studying agriculture and government, will be helping with operational needs such as greeting guests, staffing tables and assisting with audio equipment. CDFA is working with the California Agricultural Teachers Association to secure high school volunteers for each of the upcoming forums.

“In the new century, agriculture will need the best and brightest of the next generation,” said CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. “We’re grateful that these students care enough to volunteer their services, and we appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate democracy in action.”

Congress uses the Farm Bill as a guide for directing federal agricultural policy. These forums will provide California’s farmers, ranchers and the public an opportunity to provide input into the development of this important document.

NFACT is a coalition of the New Mexico, Florida, Arizona, California and Texas Departments of Agriculture. The group was formed in 1999 to bring due attention to specialty crop and livestock issues. Priority issues to be discussed at each forum will include animal and plant health, conservation, international and domestic marketing, research and risk management.

All forums will start at 8:00 a. m. at the following locations:

•Ukiah - January 9, 2001, Redwood Empire Fairgrounds, 1055 North State Street
•Ventura - January 12, 2001, Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Boulevard
•Imperial - January 23, 2001, CA Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta Grounds, 200 East Second Street
•Woodland - January 30, 2001, Yolo County Fairgrounds, 1250 East Gum Avenue
•Paso Robles - February 8, 2001, CA Mid-State Fairgrounds, 2198 Riverside Avenue


For more information regarding NFACT, visit CDFA’s website at www.cdfa.ca.gov.

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