Peterson Announces Joint Appearance with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Goodlatte at Farmfest

(Washington, DC) - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson today announced that they will participate in a Farmfest Forum panel discussion at Farmfest 2005 in Redwood County, Minn. on Tuesday, August 2.

This is the first time that the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee have made a joint appearance at Farmfest, which is Minnesota’s leading annual agriculture event.

“Farmfest brings together farmers from throughout Minnesota and the Midwest, and I am pleased that Chairman Goodlatte will be joining me to discuss farm policy issues at the forum,” Ranking Member Peterson said.

The Farmfest Forum panel, which will be held at 10:30 a.m. on August 2, is an opportunity for Farmfest attendees to hear from the House Agriculture Committee leaders and to ask questions. Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Peterson will weigh in on the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill and the budget reconciliation process.

“I am looking forward to meeting with farmers and ranchers in Minnesota and hearing first hand how the farm programs that we authorize in Congress impact the producers in the Midwest,” said Chairman Goodlatte.

Agriculture Committee Member Stephanie Herseth will also attend Farmfest and participate in the panel discussion, as well as Congressman Mark Kennedy.

Farmfest is an annual event that covers more than 50 acres with demonstrations, seminars, crafts, and related events on the historic Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County. Each year, Farmfest includes forums for attendees to meet policymakers on the local, state and national level to discuss issues of importance to farming communities.

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