10/19/05 Date set for Ag Sec Farm Bill Forum

Washington Ag October 19, 2005 U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will be holding one of his Farm Bill listening forums in eastern Washington in just over two weeks. Bieker: "And that is going to be November 3rd and it will be in eastern Washington. We are confirming the exact location so we will be announcing that as soon as we can get that confirmed." That's Chris Bieker with the State Farm Service Agency office. But Congresswoman Cathy McMorris says in a news release that Johanns will hold that Farm Bill Forum at Eastern Washington University in Cheney from 2 to 5 p.m. on November 3rd. The Secretary's forums seek input on six specific questions regarding the shaping of the 2007 Farm Bill. Meanwhile, after the state FSA office announced early Monday that local FSA offices in Asotin and Ferry counties could be closed under that national "FSA Tomorrow" plan, the USDA later announced it was shelving the plan. So for Washington state FSA's Bieker says: Bieker: "Without the national reorganization moving forward we will not be moving forward here in Washington." USDA's plan to close hundreds of local FSA offices around the nation drew opposition from farm-state members of Congress. I'm Bob Hoff.