FARM BILL FORUM SCHEDULED IN SACRAMENTO

Extra Session Added to Build on Success of Series

SACRAMENTO, February 9, 2001-Following a successful series of nine facilitated forums on the upcoming 2002 Farm Bill, California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. is announcing a tenth forum scheduled for February 20, 2001, in Sacramento. The forum, scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m., will be held in conjunction with the California State Board of Food and Agriculture’s monthly meeting.

The series is sponsored by NFACT, 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.

“I’m pleased with the great turnout we’ve had so far,” said Secretary Lyons. “California and the other NFACT states can play a pivotal role in the development of the 2002 Farm Bill.”

A number of industry leaders are scheduled to participate, including representatives of the California Farm Bureau Federation, United Farm Workers of America, California Certified Organic Farmers, California Women for Agriculture, California School Food Service Association and Ducks Unlimited.

Congress uses the Farm Bill as a guide for developing federal agricultural policy. The forums have provided California’s farmers, ranchers and the public with opportunities to provide input into the development of this important document.

The forum is scheduled to take place at the California Department of Food and Agriculture auditorium, 1220 N Street, Sacramento.

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FLEX YOUR POWER. To meet California’s energy challenge, CDFA urges businesses and consumers to conserve. For a list of simple ways that you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see our Web site @www.cdfa.ca.gov.