Monday, April 23, 2012

Quick Action!


April 23, 2012
 
Call Your Senators and Let Them Know You Want Mandatory Funding for Socially Disadvantaged  and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers!
 
Last Friday, the Senate Agriculture Committee released its draft of the 2012 Farm Bill. There were several successes for CFSC's priorities including the reauthorization of the Community Food Projects program at $10 million per year through 2017 and an increase in funding and expansion in scope for the Farmers Market Promotion Program to $100 million over five years.

This draft bill, however, does not authorize mandatory funding for the 2501 Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program. The bill alsoreduces funding by $25 million for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). In the 2008 Farm Bill, both the 2501 program and BFRDP received $75 million in mandatory funding.

Take Action!
Call your Senators right now and and ask them to reauthorize the 2501 program and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program each at $75 million in mandatory funding. The 2501 program is essential for providing outreach and training for minority and limited resource farmers and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is needed to help support the new crop of America's farmers.

It’s easy to call. You can get your Senator’s name and direct number by going toCongress.org and typing in your zip code. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard, provide your Senator’s name and be directly connected to their office: (202) 225-3121.

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