07 Nov Take Action on Farm Bill 2012 Now!

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Sustainable Food Center (SFC) has learned that the 2012 Farm Bill – the most important bill affecting food, farming, nutrition, conservation and energy – is on a fast-track for introduction and passage. The Farm Bill, which is updated every five years, includes multiple titles, or topics, which are addressed by several individual acts of legislation all packaged together and referred to as the Farm Bill. This expedited process leaves little time for action, so, SFC encourages you to …

 

ACT NOW!!!

 

Farm Bill 2012 Issues TO SUPPORT:

 

1. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act , including Individual Development Accounts (IDA) and FSA Microloans, loans and set asides for conservation programs, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, and agricultural opportunities for military veterans

 

 

2. The Local Farm, Food, and Jobs Act, which will improve federal programs that support aspects of local and regional farm and food systems, including production, aggregation, processing, marketing, and distribution, which provides for necessary investment in rural communities.

 

 

3. Limiting direct farm subsidy payments, closing loopholes on other farm payments, and re-aligning subsidies to reward farmers for climate friendly methods

 

 

4.The Expanding Access to Farmers Markets Act to increase purchases of local and healthy foods through the SNAP program

 

 

5. Authorize both WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and increase funding to $100 million annually and eliminating the state match requirement for both programs

 

 

6. Ensure that effective conservation programs remain in place, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

 

 

7. Bar federal crop insurance and disaster payments for conversion of native sod and fragile lands to cropland.

 

 

*For additional information about these issues, please see SFC's blog entry, here:

  

 

 

 

Steps to contact your members of Congress:

 

 

 

 

*You may choose to include a bit about why you care – for example, "I am a parent and I want healthy food for my family" or "I am a family farmer and I make my living by raising healthy food for my community."

 

 

*Mention all of some of the issues from the list above or other specific priorities you have identified, along with the reason that you are in favor of them.

 

  1. Identify your Senators and Representatives at www.congress.org (enter your zip code to find your Reps and Sens)
  2. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121; ask to be connected with your Member of Congress.
  3. Tell them your name, and that you are a constituent calling about the 2012 Farm Bill, and that you support access to healthy food and a sustainable food system.
  4. Deliver this message: I encourage (Sen.___ or Rep.___) to support healthy food and food systems, too, by co-sponsoring particular bills or supporting these key issues:
  5. Ask if they have any questions for you, and thank them for their time.

 

Things to remember:

  • Phone calls are most effective, especially compared to the countless emails they receive.
  • Be courteous and respectful
  • Be clear and concise
  • Take notes, including the name of the staffer you speak with, in case you'd like to follow up with them

 

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