UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Although U.s. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Will Host A Farm Bill Forum Aug. 16 At Penn State's Ag Progress Days Primarily To Talk With Pennsylvania Farmers, The Federal Legislation Has Evolved To Affect Virtually All Americans, According To An Economist In Penn State's College Of Agricultural Sciences.

In a session from 9 a.m. to noon in the Ag Progress Days Special Events Building, Johanns will answer questions from the public and listen to comments about the farm bill, which will be reauthorized in 2007. Most of his audience, expected to number in the hundreds, will likely be agricultural producers, according to Jim Dunn, professor of agricultural economics and an expert on the farm bill. But Dunn points out that federal agricultural policies impact everyone.

"In addition to the traditional agricultural topics and environmental programs that farmers will want to talk about, there is so much more in the farm bill," Dunn says. "Most Americans don't realize that it includes nutrition programs such as food stamps, school lunch and WIC, as well forestry programs, funding for rural development, green fuels development such as biodiesel and ethanol, and food-safety programs, just to name a few."

It's no accident, Dunn notes, that the farm bill has something for everyone. "Many years ago, Congress added programs that appeal to other groups to give members without an agricultural constituency something to vote for," he says. "With the nutrition programs providing help for the poor, conservation programs helping keep our air and water cleaner, the Forest Service managing natural resources, and extension programs translating our science -- almost every American has involvement with a farm bill issue, whether they know it or not."

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 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 some other states, Dunn explains. "In the southeastern corner of state, where we have such a dense population of livestock and people, the environmental programs in the farm bill that regulate and pay for such things as nutrient management are critical," he says.

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 the 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 Mulhollem Office 814-863-2719 FAX 814-863-9877