Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: David Graf, 940-716-8610, cdgraf@ag.tamu.edu
WICHITA FALLS – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a “Farm Bill Basics” meeting April 21at the Region 9 Education Center, 301 Texas Loop 11 in Wichita Falls, according to David Graf, AgriLife Extension agent for Wichita County.
“Even though there is a lot of excitement since the farm bill was passed, it will take several months for USDA-FSA to interpret the changes in the new bill and be ready to implement it for producers,” Graf said.
There are, however, some significant segments of the new program in place and producers can learn about these at the meeting, he said. Then as final details are added, it should be much easier for producers to use the decision aids that will be available.
The event will begin with registration at 6 p.m., followed by the meal at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m.
Opening the program will be Stan Bevers, AgriLife Extension economist from Vernon, and Caleb Pool, representative for U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Amarillo.
An “Overview of the Farm Bill” will be given by James Richardson, co-director of The Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University in College Station. Bevers will wrap up the evening with “Basics of the New Forage Program” followed by questions and answers.
The cost is $10, including a meal, and preregistration to the AgriLife Extension office at 940-716-8610 is required for planning purposes. Those unable to attend can access the presentations via the Internet through the services of Region 9 by contacting the AgriLife Extension office as well.
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