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Release No.0191.02

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623

Wayne Baggett (202) 720-2032

#### USDA LAUNCHES FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION WEBSITE

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2002 -- Just one day after President Bush signed the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 into law, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture today launched a new website aimed at helping
farmers, ranchers and the general public learn the latest information
about the new farm bill.

"The new farm bill is very broad and contains many new programs to
assist America's farmers and ranchers," said Agriculture Secretary Ann
M. Veneman. "This website will serve as a repository of information on
the new farm bill as we begin vigorously implementing its provisions."

The website can be directly accessed from USDA's official website at
<http://www.usda.gov/farmbill> or by simply clicking on the 2002 Farm
Bill icon on USDA's main website at <http://www.usda.gov/>. The 2002
Farm Bill icon will also appear on USDA agency websites.

The new website will include farm bill program details, questions and
answers, program applications and sign-up forms, as well as other
important materials from USDA agencies on farm bill implementation. The
website will also contain advanced electronic applications to help
program applicants receive program benefits faster and more efficiently.

The website will help farmers, ranchers and others locate information
through one site rather than searching through web pages of the many
agencies that make up USDA. Information will be indexed by farm bill
title and by agency. Users will be able to access specific agency
information through the site and easily return to the home page by
clicking on the Farm Bill 2002 logo located throughout USDA agencies'
web pages.

Information to be posted on the site over the next several weeks
includes:

-   A comparison of 1996 Farm Bill provisions and 2002 provisions
    prepared by the Economic Research Service;

-   Fact sheets in English and Spanish that cover the changes in
    conservation programs administered by the Natural Resources
    Conservation Service;

-   Information from the Farm Service Agency on program details and
    instructions on how to calculate new yields;

-   On-line applications and electronic forms to help make processing
    time more efficient.

The website will be updated regularly as new information and program
announcements become available. The "What's New" link will alert users
to updates and added information.

-more-

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President Bush signed the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
into law on May 13, 2002, immediately following the Congress sending it
to him for signature. At the signing ceremony, the President said, "The
farm bill will strengthen the farm economy, and that\'s important. It
will promote farmer independence, and preserve the farm way of life for
generations. It helps America\'s farmers, and therefore it helps
America."

The new farm bill provides rebalanced loan rates, lives within the
Congressional budget resolution agreed to last year and is consistent
with international trade obligations. The farm bill also contains
record-level support for environmental stewardship, a renewed commitment
to renewable fuels programs, additional investments to help expand
international markets, rural community programs and food stamp
assistance for low-income Americans.

Secretary Veneman added, "This legislation will now provide certainty
and support for America's farmers and ranchers in the coming years."

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