Briefing on the Farm Bill by Duane Hovorka - Aug 7, noon

The Farm Bill is a piece of federal legislation that's reauthorized every five years, affecting everyone in the United States.  Not only does it affect farmers through farm programs but it includes the US food and nutrition programs, accounting for billions of dollars in spending.  Will this Congress be able to pass the Farm Bill yet this year?    Watch the video (to the right) for Duane's information and perspectives.  

At noon on August 7, LWV UMRR hosted Duane Hovorka, Senior Policy Specialist at the National Wildlife Federation.  Duane is a lobbyist working on the Farm Bill, and he shared an update on where the Farm Bill is now and what the prognosis is for the Bill in days to come.  This discussion was led by LWV UMRR Chair Mary Ellen Miller.  Duane's long involvement in Farm Bill development makes him very knowledgeable; this talk provides a great update on what's happening with this critical piece of legislation.   

Duane Hovorka is Senior Agriculture Policy Specialist at the National Wildlife Federation, where he does policy analysis and lobbying on Farm Bill conservation issues. Prior to NWF, he directed the Izaak Walton League of America’s agriculture program. Duane spent most of his life in Nebraska where he worked for wildlife and sustainable agriculture organizations dealing with agriculture, wildlife and water policy at the state and federal level.