02/08/07 Want a farm bill? Make some noise

Washington Ag February 8, 2008 Farmers frustrated with the failure of Congress and the Administration to agree on a new farm bill need to let those involved know they want action. That is what 5th District Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers told a questioner at the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum in Spokane this week. McMorris Rodgers: "I know it takes time to come to D.C., write letters and make phone calls but there needs to be an outcry across the country and an education as to why it is important that we come to an agreement on the farm bill." McMorris said she was optimistic we will get a new farm bill but she couldn't predict when that might be. Some wheat growers from Washington have been in Washington D. C. this week working on the farm bill and attending national wheat grower meetings. Two students in agricultural related studies from Washington State University are among 17 from land grant universities across the U.S. invited for discussions of agriculture's future at USDA's 2008 Agricultural Outlook Forum. The forum is February 21st and 22nd in Arlington, Virginia. WSU students Candi Wilson and Cassi Wyman were selected based on their essays, "Agriculture as a Career and the recommendation of their dean. I'm Bob Hoff.