IFB to Host Farm Bill Regional Meetings







Illinois Farm Bureau, the University of Illinois, and the Farm Business Farm Management Association have teamed up to present a series of one-day meetings that will highlight the changes in the 2008 Farm Bill.



"The new Farm Bill is much more than a continuation of the status quo," said Doug Yoder, Illinois Farm Bureau's Senior Director of Marketing and Affiliate Management. "There are significant changes in the counter-cyclical program with the addition of the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program farmers will be able to choose starting in 2009." "In addition we have a permanent disaster program for the first time ever, changes in payment eligibility, payment limits, and crop insurance."



To help farmers fully understand these modifications and the choices they will need to make, these meetings will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at approximately 3:00 p.m. Each session will include demonstrations of two calculators designed to assist farmers in making the best possible choices for their farms for ACRE and SURE (disaster program).



Dates and locations include:



• Champaign/Urbana, Urbana Holiday Inn, February 3, 2009



• Bloomington, Illinois Farm Bureau, February 4, 2009



• Springfield, Northfield Inn, Suites and Conference Center, February 17, 2009



• Galesburg, Best Western Prairie Inn, March 5, 2009



• Mt. Vernon, Holiday Inn, March 10, 2009



• Sycamore, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, March 12, 2009







Seating may be limited at certain locations, so early registration is encouraged. Registration fee of $15 covers all costs of lunch, refreshments and a binder with handouts and a CD of the day's information. Participants can register online at www.ilfb.org or by calling IFB at 309-557-3619 to request a brochure. Registration ends a week prior to the meeting date.