Nebraska Corn Board solicits farmer input on farm policy

Nebraska

As discussion on the next farm bill heats up, the Nebraska Corn Board is encouraging grassroots input from the farming community.

"As we start the debate for the 2007 farm bill, it will be important for farmers and ranchers to be heard, either through their general farm organizations, commodity associations or checkoff boards that can influence the decision makers," Hutchens said. "The Nebraska Corn Board is ready to help in this process."

Hutchens listed four ways producers can provide input to the Nebraska Corn Board:

--Go to the special "Farm Bill Comment" page on the Nebraska Corn Board website at www.nebraskacorn.org.

--Send an e-mail to ne.corninfo@necorn.state.ne.us.

--Mail a letter to the Nebraska Corn Board, P.O. Box 95107, Lincoln, NE 68509, or fax it to 402-471-3345.

--Call the Nebraska Corn Board office in Lincoln at 800-632-6761.

Hutchens said the Nebraska Corn Board would compile producer comments and pass them on to U.S. senators, representatives and federal agencies in Washington. They will also be supplied to the state's commodity organizations.

"Making choices between entitlements, trade compliance, conservation rules and rewards, or rural development will be all part of the farm bill debate," Hutchens said. "Your opinions are valuable. It won't pay dividends if you only share them with your peers--they need to make their way up the chain. The Nebraska Corn Board can help do that."

The Nebraska Corn Board collects and disburses the funds generated by the 1/4 of a cent per bushel corn checkoff. Nebraska corn checkoff funds are invested in programs of market development, research and education.

Date:1/25/06