National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Supporting the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.

NSAC's Blog

What were they thinking?

Dear Supporter,

Over $6 billion cut from conservation.

A 50% cut to core beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer programs.

Ballooning subsidy programs for the wealthiest farmers – with no real limits.

What were they thinking? The House Agriculture Committee released its draft 2012 Farm Bill late last week, and it has problems.  One major issue?  The bill targets highly successful beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer programs for 50% funding cuts – why should our nation’s next generation of farmers bear this burden while we continue to subsidize industrial mega-farms?  But it’s not too late to change this – the committee will start voting on amendments for the farm bill TOMORROW.

Your Representative sits on the Agriculture Committee – and needs to hear from YOU that we need a better farm bill!

Please call or email your Representative TODAY and ask him or her to support these amendments:

  • Rep. Fortenberry (R-NE) and Rep. Walz’s (D-MN) amendment to improve and strengthen the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and other critical beginning farmer efforts across the country.
  • Rep. Gibson (R-NY) and Rep. Boswell’s (D-IA) amendment to establish a Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison at USDA.
  • Rep. Fudge (D-OH) and Rep. Fortenberry’s (R-NE) amendment to allow USDA to make small business loans tailored to meet the needs of small, young, beginning, and military veteran farmers and ranchers.
Every single call or email you make has an impact on how your Representative will vote tomorrow!

It takes just a moment – click here to speak out for beginning farmers today!

Thank you for all that you do,

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Grassroots Team

P.S.  If you call, tell us how it went!  And help us spread the word by sharing this message!