The Farm Bill...it's big, confusing and VERY important to the future of sustainable foods and farms.
The Farm Bill is scheduled to come out of Senate Markup Committee and hit the floor for debate on Wednesday, October 24th. The good news is that a substantial majority of the sustainable agriculture farm bill platform is reflected in one way or another in the Committee Chairman Tom Harkin's draft bill.
These proposals, however, will come to naught if they are not adequately funded. Basic funding decisions have been discussed by Senators on the Committee during informal meetings that have already taken place. In the course of these meetings, it has become increasingly clear that funding for conservation, rural development, agricultural research, beginning farmers, organics, and local food system programs are getting short shrift.
Additionally (and importantly!) there is currently zero mandatory funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), which supports community-based training and education for beginning farmers and ranchers.
It is vital at this critical stage of the debate to rally support for increased funding for sustainable agriculture priorities in the farm bill:
Farm Bill Priorities
- $25 million/year in mandatory funding for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI).
- $15 million/year in mandatory funding for the Begining Farmer and Rancher and Development Program (BFRDP) .
- $25 million over 5 years for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program.
- An Organic Conversion Program to help farmers switch to organic practices with at least 50% of funding for technical assistance.
- $30 million for Community Food Projects
- $2 billion in new funding for the Comprehensive Stewardship Incentives Program (CSIP), which includes the new and improved Conservation Security Program and support for organic practices.
This is a crucial time to call your Senators and let them know how you feel about the Farm Bill. The message is simple: "I am a constituent and am calling to urge Senator _________ to support increased funding in the new farm bill for conservation, rural development, beginning farmers, local food systems, organics, agricultural research, sustainable bioenergy programs, and beginning farmer and rancher development.
Thank you in advance for making your voice heard!
CONTACT INFORMATION
