MEMPHIS, TN (Special) – The National Cotton Council will review
key provisions of the new Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 during 44 educational meetings across the Cotton Belt beginning
May 17 and continuing through the weeks of May 20 and 27.
The NCC staff presentations will be followed by a question and
answer period, and are aimed at providing the best available
information on the new farm bill. The legislation, recently passed
by Congress, is expected to be signed by President Bush as early as
the week of May 13.
NCC Chairman Kenneth Hood said that while final information will
not be available regarding implementation regulations, the NCC will
use the meetings to identify key questions and interpretations to be
addressed during the rule-making process.
"The meetings are open to all cotton industry members and others
involved in agriculture," the Gunnison, MS, producer said. "I
strongly encourage those who will be affected by this farm
legislation to attend one of these sessions."
The Mid-South region meetings include: May 17 –
Memphis, TN, Agricenter International (Banquet
Room), 9 a.m.; Columbus, MS, Trotter Convention Center, 1
p.m.; and Jackson, TN, West Tennessee Experiment Station, 3 p.m.;
May 20 – Portageville, MO, Rone Hall at Delta Center Lee
Farm, 10 a.m.; and Keiser, AR, Northeast Research & Extension
Center, 3 p.m.; May 21 – Clarksdale, MS, City Auditorium, 9
a.m.; and Indianola, MS, Delta Center, 3 p.m.; May 22 – Yazoo
City, MS, Mississippi Chemical Company (Board Room), 9 a.m.; and
Alexandria, LA, LSU Campus Student Center, (Brumfield Caffey Annex),
6:30 p.m.; May 23 – Rayville, LA, Rayville Civic Center, 9
a.m.; and Dumas, AR, Dumas Community Center, 4 p.m. All times
are local.
The Southeast region meetings include: May 20 –
Halifax, NC, Halifax County Ag Complex, 8 a.m.; and Kinston, NC,
Lenoir County Ag Complex Auditorium, 2 p.m.; May 21 –
Florence, SC, Pee Dee Research Center Auditorium, 9 a.m.; and
Statesboro, GA, Ogeechee Fairgrounds (Kiwanis Building), 7 p.m.;
May 22 – Tifton, GA, Rural Development Center Auditorium,
noon; and Headland, AL, Wiregrass Research & Extension Center, 6
p.m.; May 23 – Atmore, AL, Lions Club (Pensacola Ave.), 9
a.m.; and Prattville, AL, Holiday Inn, 3:30 p.m.; May 24 –
Belle Mina, AL, Tennessee Valley Experiment Station, 9 a.m.
All meeting times are local.
The Southwest region meetings include: May 20 –
Artesia, NM, Central Valley Electric, 8 a.m.; Lamesa, TX, Dawson
County Community Building, 4 p.m.; Wellington, KS, Raymond Frye
Complex, 8 a.m.; and Hugoton, KS, Memorial Hall, 6 p.m.; May
21 – Altus, OK, Oklahoma Cotton Cooperative Association, 9:30
a.m.; Lubbock, TX, Plains Cotton Cooperative, 9 a.m.; Plainview, TX,
Ollie Liner Ag Center, 2 p.m.; Muleshoe, TX, Bailey County Coliseum
Meeting Room, 7 p.m.; and Abilene, TX, Abilene Christian University
(Cullen Auditorium), 7 p.m.; May 22 – San Angelo, TX,
District Research and Extension Center Auditorium, 9 a.m.; Stanton,
TX, and Stanton High School Auditorium, 3 p.m.; May 23 – El
Campo, TX, El Campo Civic Center (Expansion Room), 8 a.m.;
Seagraves, TX, Community Building, 9 a.m.; Pecos, TX, Reeves County
Civic Center, 4 p.m.; and Corpus Christi, Holiday Inn Airport, 4
p.m.; May 24 – Weslaco, TX, Hoblitzelle Auditorium, Texas
Agricultural Experiment Station, 9 a.m.; and El Paso, TX, Sunland
Park Racetrack & Casino (Crystal Park Room), 9 a.m. All
meeting times are local.
The Far West region meetings include: May 28 –
Thatcher, AZ, Eastern Arizona College (Student Center), 9 a.m.; and
Maricopa, AZ, University of Arizona Maricopa Ag Center (Auditorium),
5 p.m.; May 29 – Buckeye, AZ, Buckeye Community Center, 9
a.m.; and Yuma, AZ, University of Arizona Extension Service
(Auditorium), 5 p.m.; May 30 – Wasco, CA, Wasco Valley Rose
Golf Course (Banquet Room), 9 a.m.; and Coalinga, CA, Harris Ranch
Grand Ballroom, 3 p.m.; May 31 – Dos Palos, CA, Dos Palos
E.S. Hall, 8 a.m. All meeting times are
local.