| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Will Kissinger |
| March 10, 2004 | (406) 444-2402
TTY (406) 444-4687 |
Task Force Will Review Options for State Grain Lab
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Agriculture will host a meeting of agricultural organizations, grain producers and industry officials next week to discuss the financial status and future of the State Grain Laboratory.
The informal meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on March 18, 2004, in the basement of the Wheat Building, 750 6th Street SW, Great Falls.
"The purpose of this meeting will be to update Montana's agricultural organizations, grain producers and industry on the current status of the Grain Lab, and to evaluate options for continued operation of a federally licensed grain inspection laboratory in Montana," says Ralph Peck, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.
"It's been two years since the State Grain Lab Task Force met to review the situation," Peck says. "We intend to ask for their recommendations in planning budgets to be presented to the 2005 Legislature."
The State Grain Lab is the only federally accredited grain testing service available in Montana. It's services are required for the export of some grain commodities, and the lab also serves in the resolution of disputes involving quality-based grain price incentives.
The Montana State Grain Laboratory Task Force was established in 1996. Members include representatives of the Montana Grain Elevators Association, the Montana Grain Growers Association; the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, Montana Farm Bureau Federation; Montana Farmers Union and Women Involved in Farm Economics, as well as Sen. Jon Tester (D-Big Sandy) and Rep. Edith Clark (R-Sweet Grass).
Agricultural producers, the grain industry, and the public are invited to attend the meeting. The Montana Department of Agriculture will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person participating in any activity or program of the department.
For more information about the State Grain Lab, contact Will Kissinger at 406-444-2402 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.
