UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A U.s. Secretary Of Agriculture Rarely Comes To Pennsylvania, So When Secretary Mike Johanns Visits Penn State's Ag Progress Days Aug. 16, Keystone State Farmers Should Take The Opportunity To Influence Him On Farm Bill Programs That Affect Them, According To An Economist In The College Of Agricultural Sciences.

In a Farm Bill Forum from 9 a.m. to noon in the Ag Progress Days Special Events Building, Johanns will answer farmers' questions and listen to their comments about federal agricultural policies. Their message may play a role in the state getting its fair share of farm bill funding, according to Jim Dunn, professor of agricultural economics.

"The state and the Mid-Atlantic region could benefit more from future farm bills," he says. "While past programs have benefited Pennsylvania agriculture tremendously, the region received just 2.9 percent of total commodity payments and only 3.44 percent of conservation dollars from the last farm bill. With active participation on the part of the agricultural community, Pennsylvania could certainly benefit more from a future bill than it has in past bills.

"Current events, including global and domestic trade, funding, environmental concerns, energy issues and continued regional competitiveness over farm bill dollars -- are all reasons for Pennsylvania stakeholders to become informed and active participants early in the 2007 farm bill debate," Dunn continues.

Dunn expects Johanns to focus on farm bill commodity programs in his presentation. "From a Pennsylvania farmer's point of view, I would say the three biggest concerns are the dairy program, the corn and soybean programs, and the conservation reserve and other environmental programs," he says. "Pennsylvania is still one of the biggest dairy states, and we have a lot of farmers who take highly erodible acres out of production in the conservation reserve program."

Pennsylvania has different concerns about the implications of the farm bill than other states, Dunn explains. "In the southeastern corner of the state, where we have such a dense population of livestock and people, the environmental programs in the farm bill that regulate and help pay for such things as nutrient management are critical," he says. "That's why it is important for our state to receive a bigger portion of the funding for environmental programs."

Johanns' appearance at Ag Progress Days will be his seventh in a nationwide series that began in early July. It will be the first session to be held in the Northeast. "These forums present a tremendous opportunity for the citizens we serve to have a voice in the development of a new farm bill," he says. "The farm bill impacts America's entire ag community -- no one is left out."

Held annually over three days, Ag Progress Days highlights best management practices, agricultural research, technology and the latest in equipment. Attended annually by as many as 50,000 people, the event is spread out over the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 16; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 17; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 18. Admission and parking are free.

For information on other events, visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: For more information about Johanns' visit, the Farm Bill Forum or Ag Progress Days, contact Chuck Gill at 814-863-2713. Jim Dunn can be reached at 814-863-8625 or by e-mail at jwd6@psu.edu.

Writer/Editor: Jeff MulhollemOffice 814-863-2719 FAX 814-863-9877