Godfather of "Freedom to Farm" coming to Focus on Farm Policy

DES MOINES, Iowa--Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, Kansas State University agricultural economist and a major architect of past farm legislation, will be the keynote speaker at Focus on Farm Policy: How the next farm bill will affect your bottom line, Feb. 24 to 25 at the Gateway Center in Ames.

"This farm bill will be the beginning of the end of market distorting payments to farmers," says Flinchbaugh in early analysis of what the 2007 legislation will contain. "I think you can say that the 1996 bill was the first to attempt this, but it was not sustained due to market pressures."

The meeting will bring in lawmakers, industry representatives and other stakeholders who will influence the 2007 farm bill. Sen. Charles Grassley will address World Trade Organization compliance and limiting payments to farmers. Ken Cook, founder of the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), who revealed government payments made to each farmer nationwide, will speak on his desire for expenditures to go to conservation, not to production-linked payments.

"We are very pleased that Tom Dorr, U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Rural Development will be a presenter," says Ken Root of WHO Radio, who will moderate a portion of the event. "The USDA has weighed in early in listening to farmers views on the upcoming legislation and Dorr will outline the role rural development will play in government spending."

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has also been invited as a principal speaker. In addition, representatives from an array of commodity groups are all on board to be panelists for discussions that will be wide-ranging yet focused on what will finally be included in the next farm bill.

"We are trying to create an atmosphere for all views to surface and all positions to be heard," says Jeff Caldwell, Iowa field editor for the Midwest Ag Journal, a moderator and co-sponsor of the event. Sara Wyant of Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc. is also a co-sponsor and moderator.

Focus on Farm Policy is underwritten by the Iowa Soybean Association and Dr. Flinchbaugh's appearance is underwritten by NuTech Seed, Inc.

Event registrations are now being accepted and are limited to the first 200 registrants. The registration fee, which includes meals and meeting proceedings, is $99 per person. For more information or to register for Focus on Farm Policy, go online to www.midwestagjournal.com/farmbill or contact Kristen Andrews at the Midwest Ag Journal/High Plains Journal by phone at 620-227-1885 or by e-mail at kandrews@hpj.com.

Date:1/25/06