Decision Time Approaching For Farmers Over Reform Act

Spokane will be the site today of the first of eight national public meetings on the new farm bill, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said Wednesday.

President Clinton on April 5 signed into law the Federal Agricultural Improvement Reform Act of 1996, which will pay farmers a flat fee over seven years as a transition away from federal subsidies.

Farmers, however, must decide shortly whether to enroll in the program and USDA agencies are scrambling to write final rules for the law.

Officials plan to record suggestions and public reaction to the law at eight public forums around the country to help complete last-minute rule changes.

The forum is free. It will held 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the classroom building auditorium of the Joint Center for Higher Education, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd.

For information, call Jim Desautel, with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, at 353-2336.

In other events this week:

Today

Leadership Spokane will hear Phillip Grub, emeritus professor of international studies at George Washington University, discuss “Leadership Across Borders” at a luncheon speech in The Commons at Mukogawa Ft. Wright Institute.

Tuesday

New Century Town Hall meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the student center of the Spokane Community College, Mission and Greene. Call Call 624-8115 for information.

Washington Water Power Co. will release its first-quarter earnings report.

Raymond Jussaume, Jr., from Washington State University’s Department of Rural Sociology, will discuss “What Business Should Know about Changes in Japanese Society: The Consumers and the Distributors” in a speech sponsored by the Whitworth Institute of International Management. Starts at 11:30 a.m. at Cavanaugh’s Fourth Avenue.

Commerce Department issues report on February international trade, 8:30 a.m.

National Association of Manufacturers releases survey on business and economic outlook.

Wednesday

Professional Secretaries Day.

Commerce Department reports March durable goods orders.

Thursday

Fourth annual “Take Our Daughters to Work” day.

Ag Options Network holds tour of sustainable farms in southeastern Adams County. To register, call Gary DeVore in Ritzville at 509-659-1553 or Bonnie Mager in Spokane at 328-5077.

National Association of Realtors reports existing home sales for March.

Friday

Panel of Spokane transportation experts speak at 7:30 a.m. to the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce Issues & Answers forum, 1020 W. Riverside. Cost: $2. Call 459-4117.

William Gray of Washington State University speaks at noon to the Spokane Ag Bureau.

Saturday

Grand opening of Waterford on South Hill begins at 1 p.m. Call 536-2929.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Measuring the Economy - Interest Rates

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Money, May: Layoffs as a percentage of total employment have averaged 18 percent in the ‘90s, close to a 50-year low, Money point outs in a special report “The good news about jobs.” Proving grounds The 10 best employers to work for to develop skills, a reputation and then go on to better things, as ranked by Money: Allstate Corp. (insurance) American Express Financial Services U.S. Department of Defense Arthur D. Little, (management consultant) Marriott International (hotels and food service) Merck (pharmaceuticals) Microsoft (software) Morgan Stanley (investment bank)