Hey folks,
I’m writing to ask you all to support a new piece of legislation to support beginning farmers for the next 5 years. Though not “directly” an organic issue, beginning farmers are twice as likely to be certified organic, and many very small beginning farmers fall under the $5000 threshold, meaning they are organic but exempt from certification (but not from following the rules) under the NOP.
In any case, 70% of US farmland is expected to change hands within the next 20 years, and we need a new “crop” of environmentally and socially conscious farmers to take their place. We (myself, as a representative of Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance, and other organizations who are part of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) have worked hard to craft a piece of legislation that promotes beginning farmers, and allows access to federal programs for those wishing to start diversified organic operations, instead of favoring 5th generation conventional corn farmers or CAFO’s.
But WE NEED YOU TO CALL Your SENATORS and your Congresspeople. Especially important will be calls to Senator STABENOW’S office. You can leave a message at her DC office by calling 202-224-4822, or call and speak with (or leave a message for) her State Ag. Liaison, Kali Fox in her Lansing office at 517-203-1760, or e-mail her atkali_fox@stabenow.senate.gov.
Sample Message: I’m calling to urge Senator Stabenow to co-sponsor the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011. This legislation is being introduced in the House and Senate next week. It will help new farmers get started in agriculture. It’s a jobs creator and a cost effective smart investment. Can I count on Senator Stabenow to be a co-sponsor?
To learn more about the bill you can see the post at www.beginningfarmers.org HERE:http://www.beginningfarmers.
Please call today or Monday!
Thanks Much,
Taylor Reid
MOFFA Policy Committee
Www.beginningfarmers.org
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