Dear Supporter,

5 years.  That’s how often the farm bill comes around.

5 minutes.  That’s all it takes to speak out for reform.

A lifetime.  That’s the kind of impact you’ll have.

Our nation’s farmers are aging, and we can’t afford to wait any longer to help the next generation of farmers and ranchers get off to a strong start.  Now’s the time – amidst the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, the Senate is debating the 2012 Farm Bill, and decisions are being made that will impact farmers, the environment, and rural communities for years to come.  If you can spare 5 minutes today, you will have an impact.

Thank you for speaking up yesterday! Today is day 2 of 3 days of action, so here we go –

Today’s action:

ENSURE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR BEGINNING FARMERS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES

The Senate seems to have forgotten some important programs in their draft bill!  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 the 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.  Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) just filed an amendment that restores funding to crucial rural development and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer programs, including:

• Value-Added Producer Grants
• Rural Microentrepeneur Assistance Program
• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
• Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program (Section 2501)

Will you support Senator Brown’s efforts in ensuring beginning farmers and rural communities don’t get left behind in the 2012 Farm Bill?

Send a message to your Senator today!

Your Senators need to hear that you want a farm bill with real reform and real improvements for the future of farming.   Don’t delay – the Senate is debating the 2012 Farm Bill this week, so they need to hear from you today.

Thank you for all that you do,

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Grassroots Team

P.S.  When you call, tell us how it went!  Use Twitter? Share this information so that others can take action too.