Farm Bill needs your phone call today!

The good news ... your calls are working! Both US Representatives Suzan DelBene & Jim McDermott have co-sponsored the Local Farms Food and Jobs Act. Yahoo!

editorial comment....I know this is lots of information in an action alert but please read it and make your call. It does make a difference and the Farm Bill has a HUGE impact on our food and farming system. It is a $90 Billion/year program.

Over the next 48 hours the House Agriculture Committee will finalize their first draft of the 2013 Farm Bill -- legislation that will profoundly shape our nation’s food and farm system for the next five years.While there are some good pieces, the bill needs to be stronger.  US Representative Suzan DelBene (WA District 1) is the only elected official from Washington State that sits on the House Ag Committee. They will consider amendments Wednesday. With your help, we can advocate for a Fair Farm Bill that invests in beginning farmers, protects our natural resources, supports fresh, healthy local food, and ensures real reform to corporate and mega-farm subsidies.

We only have 48 hours to influence the Agriculture Committee! Please take action! We need your call today!

Call US Representative Suzan DelBene  

D.C. Office # 202-225-6311

Background Information:  Please thank Representative DelBene for Co-Sponsoring Local Farms Food and Jobs Act, her specialty crop resolution and her support for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding-SNAP (ie food stamps)!  We really need her help tomorrow to strengthen the Farm Bill by:

SUPPORTING:

Help Stop Hunger and strengthen our local food system:

McGovern's SNAP Amendment: The Committee has proposed a $21 Billion cut to SNAP funds. McGovern's amendment will restore SNAP funding to existing levels. We believe DelBene is supportive of this amendment.

Negrete-Mcleod#4. Will make it easier for SNAP shoppers to access fresh healthy food at markets and CSAs. 

Help Protect our Environment:

Nolan #58 and #59 Nolan’s amendments will protect our nation’s air, soil, and water by increasing the enrollment cap for the popular Conservation Stewardship Program and streamlining the program’s ranking process to encourage more efficient conservation practices. 

Kuster #28.  Kuster’s amendment will improve the Environmental Quality Incentives Program so that organic and transitioning farmers can better access the program.

Costa #69 Costa's amendment will restore funding for a program that helps to offset the annual cost of certification for organic farmers.

OPPOSING: Conaway #005 which repeals provisions in USDA’s Packers & Stockyards Act regulations that provide farmers with protection against deceptive and unfair practices in their dealings with packers and processors

PLEASE MAKE YOUR CALL TODAY!

WHO:  Call Suzan DelBene's office (#202 225-6311) and ask for Ben Barasky, her ag staffer or leave a message.

WHAT To SAY:  “Hello, my name is ___ and I’m a constituent and a voter (and tell ‘em if you’re a farmer!). I want to thank Representative DelBene for co-sponsoring the Local Farms food and Jobs Act, her specialty crop resolution and supporting SNAP funding. We still need her help!  Please urge Rep DelBene to prevent any cuts to SNAP and support five key amendments in tomorrow’s markup session: Negrete-McLeod #4, Nolan #58 and #59, Kuster #28, and Costa #69. I also urge the Representative to stand up for independent family farmers and ranchers and ensure fair practices in the livestock market by opposing Conaway #5. Thank you.”

WHERE: Washington DC

WHEN: NOW

WHY: To advocate for a fair farm bill!

Farm Bill Background information

List of House Ag Committee Amendments

House Ag Committee Proposal or "Markup"

THANK YOU

From all of us at the The Network

.... your sustainable food &  farming advocates for 16 years.

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