USDA Official to Hold 'Barn Hall' Meetings

August 10, 2012

News Release

Indianapolis, Ind. -- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) Administrator William Murphy will travel to Indiana on August 13 and 14 to visit with Indiana farmers in “Barn Hall” style meetings on farmer’s operations in Hancock and Hendricks County, respectively.

Monday, August 13, 2012

1 p.m. EDT Hancock County Pork and Grain Farmers Eric and Peggy Lawyer. Meet at 11655 E County Rd 1100 N, Shirley, IN. The Lawyer’s raise hogs, corn, soybeans and wheat in Hancock and Henry Counties. They also participate in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Administrator Murphy will conduct a “Barn Hall” Style Listening Session and will share information and discuss with farmers the current drought situation and the programs and policies available from the Risk Management Agency. A farm tour also will be conducted. Mr. Murphy will be available for questions and interviews with the media. Depart at 4 p.m. EDT

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

9 a.m. EDT Hendricks County Grain Farm owned by Mike Starkey. Meet at 10132 E County Road 700 N, Brownsburg, IN. Mr. Starkey is a corn, soybean, wheat and hay farmer. He is a regional director with the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation District (IASWCD) and a supervisor for the Hendricks County SWCD. He also serves on the Greencastle Farm Credit Service (FCS) Advisory Committee.

Administrator Murphy will conduct a “Barn Hall” Style Listening Session and will share information and discuss with farmers the current drought situation and the programs and policies available from the Risk Management Agency. A farm tour also will be conducted. Mr. Murphy will be available for questions and interviews with the media. Depart at 12 noon EDT

Farmers in Indiana experienced a dry and mild spring which led to early planting in many parts of the state. Lack of rainfall and the extreme heat complicated the growing season and pollination of the crop, thus leaving Hoosier farmers in a difficult situation. RMA Administrator Murphy will be in Indiana to hear directly from farmers affected most severely with the drought and to discuss mitigating factors to assist producers this year and in the future.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture