and the Reagan administration to take necessary 

 action. 



Senator Melcher also offered his views on major 

 federal farm legislation. He said he was concerned 

 about possible Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) farm 

 foreclosures, and he hoped to see legislation that would 

 encourage the FmHA to ease restrictions against the 

 leasing of land acquired through a farm ownership loan. 

 Senator Melcher concluded his testimony by expressing 

 optimism that the U.S. Senate would pass a new farm bill 

 by the end of September. 



Following Senator Melcher 's comments, the 

 Subcommittee heard from spokesmen representing various 

 farm groups and other organizations, including Montana 

 Farmers Union, Montana Cattlemen's Association, Women 

 Involved in Farm Economics, Montana Grain Growers 

 Association, Alternative Energy Resources Organization, 

 Northern Plains Resource Council, Montana Wheat Research 

 and Marketing Committee, Montana Department of 

 Agriculture, and Montana State University. 



At the close of the comment period, the 

 Subcommittee discussed possible approaches to conducting 

 its study. Following this discussion, the Subcommittee 

 decided to direct the staff to poll committee members in 

 order to establish study priorities. 



Second Meeting 



The Subcommittee held its second meeting on the 

 evening of February 20, 1986, in Great Falls, following 

 a day of activities at a symposium on agricultural 

 research sponsored by the Montana Agricultural 



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