How to Handle Farm Bill Issues in an Extension Education Setting?

Principles of Public Policy Education Dr. Mark A. Edelman, Director Community Vitality Center Professor of Economics and Extension Economist Iowa State University Extension Farm Bill Web Cast Series June 1, 2007

How Public Policy Problems are Different  Key Differences:  Group Rather than Individual Decisions  People Have Different Circumstances  People Hold Different Values on What Should Be  People Differ in Goals and Objectives  Conflicting Views on What Ought to be Done

Advocate vs Educator

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An Advocate

believes they have the best solution to a problem, tries to convince others, and encourages others to support their cause in the political process.

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An Educator

enhances learning and understanding, assists others in making their own decisions, and facilitates participation in the process

Science Can’t Always Solve Problems

 Science solves problems when    Single objective and relatively few goals Objective is clearly revealed and measurable Everyone in group agrees with objective & goals  Public Policy Issues have    Multiple objectives and goals Objectives that are unknown or not revealed Differing value judgments on what should be done  Science is only a decision tool

Role of Public Policy Educators in a Democracy

 Present Facts (evidence of what exists)  Destroy Myths (incorrect notions that people believe are facts)  Allow citizens & leaders to apply their own values  Facilitate understanding of areas of agreement & differences  Facilitate participation in process

Models for Public Policy Education

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Observe/Do Nothing Inform/Statistician Advocate/Prescriber ?

Analytical Advocate (Pros & Cons) ? Analytical Optimizer (Math) ?

Alternatives and Consequences Process Facilitator

Process Facilitator

Helping Clients & Clientele Make Views Count  Enhancing Familiarity with Issues    History of Proposals, Supporters and Opponents Popularity of Ideas Costs, Benefits, and Tradeoffs  Knowing the Decision-Makers  History of Views and Supporters   Personal Relationships Group Relationships  Knowing the Process

Knowing Farm Bill Processes

 Troika (3 horse hitch)    Interest Groups (Ag, Environment, Food, & Rural Dev) Executive Agencies Congressional Committees  Legislative Process  Leadership Control (Majority Rules)   Content Control (Authorization and Oversight) Budget Control (Appropriations)  Best Practices for Communication & Building Relationships

The Farm Bill Legislative Process

    Administration Hearings and Proposals Ag & Ag Approps Committee Assignments (Leadership) Budget Targets and Appropriations (Budget) House & Senate Ag Committees (Authorization)     Subcommittee Hearings & Proposals Markup to Committee Proposal Floor Debate Passage by Both Houses  Conference Committee to Iron out Differences  Concurrence by Both Houses  Presidential Signature or Veto

Who Sits on the Ag Committees?

Senate Members - 21 House Members - 46 North Central - 11

  IA, ND, MI, NE, OH, MN IN, KS, MN, SD, IA

South - 5

 AR, GA, MS, KY, SC

Northeast - 2

 VT, PA

West - 3

 MT,CO, ID

North Central - 18

 MN, IA, SD, IN, KS, OH, MN, WI, ND, IN  KS, IL, MO, IA, NE, OH, NE, MI

South - 19

  NC, NC, GA, GA, TX, TN, GA, TX, FL VA, AL, OK, NC, AL, AL, TX, LA, NC, TX

Northeast - 3

 PA, NY, NY

West - 6

 CA, CA, CA, CO  CO, CA

Funds Available

Senate Target:  $20 billion over 5 Years above Baseline House Target:  $15 billion over 5 years above Baseline

CVC Web Site: www.cvcia.org

2007 Farm Bill Issues and Resources

  Iowa Farmer Preferences on 2007 Farm Bill Issues (PDF file) The 2007 Farm Bill: U.S. Producer Preferences, 2006    USDA 2007 Farm Bill Page Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry House Agriculture Committee

Policy Centers specializing in Farm Bill Issues Analysis

 CARD (Iowa State University)   Agriculture and Food Policy Center (Texas A&M) Agricultural Policy Analysis Center (University of Tennessee)    Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (Missouri) Rural Policy Research Institute (Missouri) Farm Foundation (Chicago)

Extension Public Policy Education Principles

 Public Policy Education by Richard Barrows (PDF file)