WESTSIDE — Arkansas and Oklahoma farmers - including cattle, hay and poultry producers - can learn about special drought-relief programs at “Drought Relief Help for Farmers” on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

The Arkansas program will be at 5:30 p.m., and theOklahoma program will be at 7 p.m. The outreach program, sponsored by Poultry Partners, Winrock International, and the USDA, will be held at Natural Falls State Park. Natural Falls State Park is about 6 miles west of the Arkansas/Oklahoma border in West Siloam Springs, just off U.S. Highway 412.

“As busy farmers, we don’talways have time to research the options and opportunities available. I hope combining the information for these programs in one meeting will help farmers get the information they need as well as answers to their questions,” said Bev Saunders, Poultry Partners director.

During the Arkansas program, beginning at 5:30 p.m .,Linda Newkirk of the USDA Arkansas office will present the federal program. There will also be information and application forms for Governor Mike Beebe’s recentlydeveloped hay program. This information is from the Arkansas Agriculture Department. The deadline for the applications is Aug. 29, so those who have not enrolledin the program can get the forms at this meeting, fill them out and have them in the mail and post marked the next day.

A dinner will be served from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for both Arkansas and Oklahoma farmers.

At 7 p.m., Oklahoma farmers will hear from Shelly Bilderback of the USDAOklahoma office about the federal programs offered. There will also be information presented from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.

Those desiring more information about the program may contact Saunders at 918-326-0325. For directions, contact the park office at 918-422-5802.

News, Pages 2 on 08/22/2012