Boehner Announces 17th Annual 8th District Farm Forum

WASHINGTON, DC – Former Congressman Cal Dooley of California will be the keynote speaker at the 17th annual 8th District Farm Forum, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) announced.

Dooley, now president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 2004 and sat on the Agriculture Committee with Boehner. Dooley is a fourth-generation farmer and partner in Dooley Farms, growing cotton, alfalfa and walnuts in California ’s San Joaquin Valley .

“Agriculture is a pillar of the 8th District’s economy, and I host Farm Forum each year so that people whose livelihoods depend on the continued success of our agriculture community as well as those with an interest in agriculture can come together to discuss the issues of the day,” Boehner said. “Farm Forum is always a highlight of my year, and I’m pleased to bring together some of the best agriculture policy minds in the 8th District, throughout Ohio and from Washington , D.C. to talk with farmers in our community.”

This year’s distinguished panel of experts includes Tom Menke, President of Menke Consulting; Bob Peterson, President of the Ohio Farm Bureau; Carl Zulauf, the Francis B. McCormick Professor of Agriculture and Marketing Policy at The Ohio State University; and Jim Chakeres, executive director of the Ohio Poultry Association. The panel moderator will be Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina), who sits on the Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee and has been named a Friend of Agriculture by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

Farm Forum is a free event for anyone with an interest in agriculture. To RSVP, call Boehner’s office toll-free at 800-582-1001 or register online at www.johnboehner.house.gov.

WHERE: Edison Community College , 1973 Edison Drive , Piqua

WHEN: Saturday, March 1. Registration opens at 9:30 am; the program begins at 10 am.