FARM BILL UPDATES (last updated Dec 12)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:
- To read more about USCCB’s 2007 Farm Bill priorities
- To take the Food Stamp Challenge, visit the Catholic Charities USA’s web site
- Join NCRLC’s efforts to promote a local and national conversation on food, farming and sustainable communities, Keep the Faith in Rural America, at http://www.ncrlc.com
- For CRS’ educational resource on international food aid, go to: CRS Educational Resources
- Bread for the world: www.bread.org
- Catholic Rural Life Conference in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, go to: Rural Life
December 7 Action Alert:
Farm Bill Moving Forward in the Senate: Call Senators Today Ask Them to Support Amendments that Feed the Hungry and Target Farm Supports to Those Who Need Them Most. Click here for the action alert...
Nov. 6 Urgent Action Alert from USCCB, CRS, Catholic Charities USA, and National Catholic Rural Life Conference
The U.S. Farm Bill, which Congress passes only every five years, has been an important issue for us in the Cincinnati Archdiocese, particularly for those who survive on Food Stamps as well as for our parishioners who operate small and middle-sized farms. The following is an action alert from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, encouraging us to contact Senators Brown and Voinovich to ask them to support a 2007 Farm Bill that feeds the hungry and targets farm supports to those who need it the most.
Oct. 17 Action Alert
Action Alert: Call your Senators Urging Fairness for Farmers and Justice for the Poor and Hungry in the 2007 Farm Bill. For full action alert from USCCB and CRS...
Last July, when the House of Representatives approved its version of the Farm Bill, several significant improvements were made to the nutrition and rural development programs. However, the familiar old system of channeling billions of dollars to mostly large producers and neglecting those most in need remained for the most part in place. It is vital that you urge your Senator(s) to not vote for business as usual on the 2007 Farm Bill.
BACKGROUND: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services have been working together to seek a new kind of Farm Bill that reflects a commitment to feed the hungry at home and abroad, to offer effective support for those who till the land, while promoting fairness and equity for farmers and ranchers. We especially support efforts to target agriculture resources to those who need help the most rather than those who need it least. Starting next week, the Senate will take important steps towards completing a new Farm Bill, which is written every 5-7 years and sets the nation’s agriculture and food policies.
ACTION REQUESTED: Please call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to reach your Senator’s office. Ask to speak with the staff person who deals with nutrition and agriculture policy. While the Farm Bill deals with many issues, the concerns outlined below need priority attention as the Senate moves forward in writing the next Farm Bill. Urge your Senator(s) to support a Farm Bill that promotes development at home and abroad. Tell them that limited public resources should be targeted to those who need it most. The next Farm Bill should redirect funds away from large agro-enterprises that need the least support. The U.S. Farm Bill is the principle means of feeding the hungry at home and abroad, promoting rural development, and caring for the land.
For more details on the Oct. 17, 2007 Action Alert from USCCB AND CRS...