COLUMBUS, Ohio - Now that Congress has passed the 2002 Farm Bill, Ohio producers, agri-businesses and related agricultural and natural resources agencies may have questions regarding its content and implications.
Ohio State University Extension agricultural economists will be on hand via satellite May 14 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. to discuss certain topics of the Farm Bill and answer questions. Interested parties are encouraged to contact their local Extension offices to determine if the telecast will be available for viewing in their area.
"Our purpose is to convey general knowledge about certain key sections and raise what we think are questions that the policy will engender," said Ohio State agricultural economist Carl Zulauf. "It won't be just a reporting of what is, but what issues have to be addressed or the implications that might come out of this legislation."
Zulauf, along with agricultural economists Barry Goodwin and Brent Sohngen, will provide analysis during the satellite conference. Their comments will focus on three areas of the Farm Bill: the commodity title, the conservation title and implications regarding land value and World Trade Organization negotiations.
"The commodity and conservation titles are the first two titles of the farm bill, indicating their importance. The farm bill proposed that spending on conservation programs be increased by 80 percent," said Zulauf. "For many farmers commodity programs are the primary reason for the bill."
The House of Representatives passed the 2002 Farm Bill on May 2 by a 280-141 vote and the Senate passed the Farm Bill on May 8 by a 64-35 vote. President Bush has promised to sign the bill, which is expected to carry a price tag of at least $170 billion over the next 10 years.