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STAND with Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers and Beginning Farmers!

Posted on 5th Jun 2012 @ 9:39 PM

Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers need your support now!

The latest version of the Senate Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill cuts $50 million in funding for the only program that supports socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers--Section 2501. The Farm Bill will impact our food and farm system for the next 4-6 years, so now is a critical time to let your Senators know what issues are important to you!

Section 2501, also known as Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR), provides outreach, training, and coordination for critical producers of our food system. It has been a section of the Farm Bill since 1990 and received $75 million in mandatory funding from the last Farm Bill. The current Senate Ag Committee version, which goes to a full Senate floor vote this week, reduces this funding to $25 million while increasing the pool of applicants to include Veteran farmers. The Senate version also changes funding for 2501 from mandatory to discretionary.

  California Food and Justice Coalition is partnering with the Rural Coalition who is working with Senator Udall's office to introduce an amendment on the Senate floor to increase funding to 2501. Please lend your voice to the eforts by contacting your Senators today in support of Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers!

There are two ways you can take action:

Call your California Senators
Senator Barbara Boxer: (202) 224-3553
Senator Dianne Feinstein: (202) 224-3841

Ask to speak with the staffer who deals with agriculture and tell him/her:
  • Farmers and ranchers form a critical part of our food system and we must ensure their success.
  • We must invest in rural America and the future of American agriculture.
  • The current Senate version of the Farm Bill cuts $50 million in funds to Section 2501 while expanding the pool of applicants to include veterans. While I support veterans, funding still needs to be increased so that all can benefit from Section 2501 programs.
  • I support increased funding for Section 2501 of the Farm Bill to support Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers.

Write your Senators
Make sure to express that you are a constituent concerned about the Farm Bill and you are urging for more funding to Section 2501 for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. If you're stuck, you can use our template letter.

Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510		 Senator Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

 

or call to support Beginning Farmers!

 

Right now, the United States Senate is working on a farm bill update, and they forgot something.


The Senate Agriculture Committee’s version of the 2012 Farm Bill is up for debate by the full Senate this week.  


 

But it looks like they forgot to include vital programs in the farm bill – like robust funding for rural development and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer programs.


That’s right! Programs that boost jobs through rural entrepreneurship, invest in the future of American agriculture, and provide assistance to historically underserved farmers received little-to-no funding in Committee’s bill.


How could these important programs get left behind? 


Fortunately, there is still a chance to ensure that these programs are not forgotten. Senators Brown (D-OH) and Nelson (D-NE), along with other interested Senators, are considering offering an amendment that restores funding to crucial rural development and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer programs including:


Will you support their efforts to ensure the 2012 Farm Bill creates jobs in rural America and invests in the next generation of farmers?

Call your Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein TODAY or TOMORROW MORNING and ask for their support on the possible amendment that funds rural development and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer programs:

Senator Boxer: 202-224-3553

Senator Feinstein: 202-224-3841

 

My name is _____ and I’m calling from _____. I am calling about the farm bill. May I speak to your staffer who works on agriculture (if they are not available, you can leave a message).

Tell them: Please ensure that rural communities and the future of California agriculture are not left out of the farm bill. Senators Sherrod Brown and Ben Nelson are considering an amendment that funds important programs like Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and local food programs – programs that create jobs and spur economic growth through food and farms. Please support California agriculture and our rural communities by voting in support of the Brown- Nelson amendment to the farm bill.


Your Senators need to hear that you want a farm bill with real reform and real improvements for our rural places and the future of farming.


 

Don’t delay – the Senate is about to start debate on the 2012 Farm Bill, so they need to hear from you TODAY or TOMORROW MORNING.