This is it. It’s make or break time for the 2018 Farm Bill. Only a few days remain for Congress to finish a new bill or pass a temporary extension of the old one. Either way, farmers and communities are counting on action. What’s at stake?
● Hands-on training and tools for beginning farmers and ranchers.
● Support for cutting-edge organic and sustainable research.
● New infrastructure – like ‘food hubs’ and innovative marketing tools – that helps farmers take advantage of ever-growing demand for local and regional food.
These are the programs in the bill that give farmers the tools to grow and succeed, and to harness economic opportunities across the nation.
There’s a problem, though. Nearly a dozen “tiny but mighty” farm bill programs will be left unable to operate if Congress doesn’t act fast: 140 million dollars for sustainable and organic agriculture, economic development, and beginning and underserved farmer support will literally just disappear. And that’s not all - just over a billion dollars in funding, largely for conservation and farmland preservation, will be frozen too, preventing farmers from accessing help in stewarding their land.
We can’t let this happen on our watch.
Help us tell Congress this is unacceptable – take just 90 seconds to call your Representative and Senators today!
The message is simple: “Don’t walk away from America’s farmers and ranchers. We need a new 2018 Farm Bill now based on the bipartisan Senate bill - and, in the meantime, a full extension of the old bill to keep programs that farmers and communities rely on operating. Ensure expiring farm bill programs that support local and regional food systems and healthy food access aren’t left behind!
Your message TODAY matters – thank you for taking action!