FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2005, 5:45 a.m. CT

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman expressed gratitude about today's federal announcement that Husker Harvest Days will host one of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Bill listening sessions on Sept. 15. The Governor will join the Nebraskans welcoming U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to Grand Island.

"I am extremely pleased and gratified that Secretary Johanns agreed to hold one of his national agricultural forums in Nebraska," Gov. Heineman said. "Because we are a leading state in agricultural production, it is imperative that Nebraskans help shape this legislation, and the USDA forum provides an important opportunity."

The forum continues a series of Farm Bill policy discussions being coordinated by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) across the nation. USDA announced the Farm Bill Forum in a press release this afternoon. Additional details about the event, including the time and specific location, will be released soon.

Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said the USDA forum will complement the series of agricultural listening sessions Gov. Heineman has scheduled across Nebraska.

Ibach said, "The Governor has stressed the importance of Nebraskans getting involved in Farm Bill policy dialogue. If we want a successful future for agriculture, we must be sure to make ourselves heard. It is a high honor to be chosen for one of the Secretary's listening sessions."

More than a dozen Nebraska agricultural and rural organizations provided testimony Wednesday during the Governor's first state-level Farm Bill listening session at the Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln. Additional state-level sessions are scheduled for Gering, Kearney, Norfolk and North Platte in October and November, with times to be announced.

"I am looking forward to speaking with the Secretary, and I am confident that Nebraskans will give him the warm welcome he deserves," Gov. Heineman said.