Press Release- March 14, 2005

Farm Bill Programs Listening Sessions

You are invited to:

The Farm Bill Programs Listening Sessions

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking feedback from agricultural organizations, environmental groups, commodity organizations, agencies, individuals and others on the national priorities used to implement the 2002 Farm Bill. NRCS periodically reviews and updates the priorities utilizing input from the public and affected stakeholders to ensure the program continues to address national resource needs. Updating the national priorities will help NRCS to respond to emerging issues and prepare us for the 2006 program year and for the next Farm Bill reauthorization in 2007.

The four existing natural resource priorities are:

• Water Quality (Reduction of non-point source pollution)
• Air Quality (Reduction of emissions)
• Soil Erosion (Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation)
• Wildlife Habitat (Promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation).

The sessions will invite responses to the following questions:

• What emerging natural resource issues are not addressed by the current national EQIP priorities? Input should identify the nature of the concern and its extent or significance within the State.
• What modifications, if any, are needed to the four existing National priorities? Do these existing priorities continue to reflect the critical national resource needs and concerns?

Your participation will be greatly appreciated!

Sessions will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Choose any of the following locations:

Anderson , California , March 16, 2005

Western Shasta Resource Conservation District building

6270 Parallel Road , Anderson , CA

Fresno , California , March 17, 2005

Agriculture Building at the Fresno County Fairgrounds

1121 So. Chance Ave., Fresno , CA