Rural Policy Workshops Held Next Week
Lyons, NE - The Center for Rural Affairs, and the Women Food and Agriculture Network are co-hosting several workshops to discuss how the 2012 Farm Bill and other looming policy debates in Washington will significantly impact rural communities.
"We will also discuss how to communicate with elected officials and other decision-makers, the importance of local, state and federal policy, how to influence policy decisions that impact you locally, and key issues in the upcoming Farm Bill," said Traci Bruckner, Assistant Director for Rural Policy at the Center for Rural Affairs.
"The Farm Bill is more than just farm subsidies and crop insurance," Bruckner continued. The Farm Bill impacts farmers, ranchers, consumers, small towns and rural mainstreet businesses with investments in conservation, nutrition and school lunches, broadband, housing, small business assistance, rural economic and community development, and much more.
Staff from the Women Food and Agriculture Network will discuss how Farm Bill programs can be used to increase conservation practices and help women landowners in Iowa (women own or co-own 47% of Iowa's farmland) make informed conservation decisions and reach their conservation goals."We are all affected by rural policy," said Bruckner. "Join us to find out how you can make your voice heard and to share your ideas with us and other rural leaders who can help you make things happen in your community."
What: Rural policy workshops
When and Where:
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Harlan Dining Room
Thomas Commons Building
Cornell College
810 Commons Circle
Mount Vernon, IA
Thursday, February 2, 2012
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Wild Rose Casino
777 Main Street
Emmetsburg, Iowa
For more information or to RSVP please contact Virginia Wolking at (402) 687-2100 (virginiaw@cfra.org) or Leigh Adcock at (515) 460-2477.
Light refreshments will be provided.
See www.cfra.org for more information about the Center for Rural Affairs.
