releaseno.0482.05.docVIP

Release No. 0482.05 OF VERMONT FARM BILL FORUM WITH UNDER SECRETARY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT TOM DORR AND MODERATOR CHRIS GRAFF BURLINGTON, VERMONT, OCTOBER 26, 2005 MODERATOR: Were really honored that youd take the time to come to Vermont on your way to Hawaii. They get snow there too. We really do appreciate your taking time to come here to listen to the people of our state and to learn about how you can be even more helpful as we continue to work together, state and federal governments as partners to ensure that we maintain the strength of our rural economy and most importantly the quality of life that we want for our kids and future generations of Vermonters. Thank you very, very much. Mr. Secretary. [Applause.] No one probably in Vermont knows more about diversity of agriculture than out secretary of Agriculture. In a year in which you can be taking cows and apples to Cuba and debating genetically engineered seeds, Steve Kerr has managed to be in the middle of just about every debate thats going on at some level in the states. So please welcome our Secretary of Agriculture, Steve Kerr. [Applause. SEC. STEVE KERR: Good morning. It appears that Old Man Winter has decided to remind us that autumn, delicious though it was this year, must eventually come to an end. Tom observed, since hes from Iowa, that in fact this isnt really winter; this is just an ugly autumn day. Thank you all for making the trek to join us. We are here today not to talk about endings, but beginnings; not to scratch for signs of life under the snow, not just yet; but to ponder the buds that will blossom next spring. Every five years our country reviews its public policy regarding the investments that we make in our farms, our rural areas, our natural environment, our basic and applied ag research, our stands regarding foreign trade, aid to our poorer brethren, and the diet of our fellow Americans. This listening session is one in a series that Agriculture Secretary M