POLICY :: Farm Bill 2007

June 13, 2007

Dear Friend of CAFF,

A crucial moment has arrived in the process of creating the 2007 U.S. Farm Bill and the time to act is NOW.

In the next several months, Congress will be writing the final version of the Farm Bill that will set the direction of this country’s Food and Farming system for the next 5-7 years. Nearly $300 billion is at stake, including many programs that have directly benefited our organization and our members and supporters, such as: nutrition education in public schools; our efforts to construct local food distribution systems in Ventura, Fresno, Watsonville/Salinas, and Sacramento; specialty crop funding; research on alternative pest control measures; and cost-sharing with farmers who invest in environmental improvements. This year, the Farm Bill could deliver significant new resources to programs that we care about, but only if our four California Members of the House Agriculture Committee stand up for these programs. That’s where your voice can make a difference.

The full House Agriculture Committee will begin final mark up of the Farm Bill on June 26th. This process will determine the final House bill that will go to the floor of the House of Representatives later in July. Several amendments will be introduced that will seek to expand funding for key programs that could directly benefit California family farming operations and promote more sustainable, healthy, local food systems in California. Because of the difficult budget situation, these amendments will only pass if enough legislators hear from their constituents.

Please call and fax one or more of the four California Members of the House Agriculture Committee before June 26th and urge them to support the following amendments:

• $1 billion funding for the Conservation Security Program
• $40 million funding for the Community Food Project Grant Program
• $15 million in mandatory funding to expand organic research and extension

Other amendments that you could also mention if they are more relevant to you [for example, if you are not farming organically] include: the Direct Marketing Assistance to Consumers Program (formerly the Farmers Market Promotion Program), the Value Added Producer Grant Program, Healthy FoodEnterprise Development Program, and the Beginning and Minority Farmer Development Program. More information about these programs.

Please note that phone calls or faxed letters are the most effective means to communicate. Here's a phone script to help you in speaking with your representatives.

We’ve also put together a sample letter for the representative closest to you. Simply add your name and address and send it via fax. Of course, if you have the time, a letter in your own words will have even more impact.

Please call and fax before June 26th.

Though emails are given less consideration, you may find sample email text at: www.caff.org/policy/farm_bill_email.shtml.

For more information on Farm Bill action, see www.calfoodandfarming.org and/or contact Kari Hamerschlag at (510) 295-4781.

Thank you for taking the time to make these important calls and/or send the faxes. They will make a difference in helping California’s family farmers get the support they need to thrive economically, and they will support our efforts to construct a healthy local food system.

Sincerely,

David Runsten

Executive Director

Judith Redmond
President

Links to Relevant Sites

For more information on the Farm Bill, visit California Coalition for Food & Farming