Hi
I thought folks might be interested in reading an editorial from today's
Albany (NY) Times Union and yes, the issues are complex and subject to change.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Farm politics
First published: Wednesday, July 25, 2007
When it comes to reforming the nation's farm policies, success appears to be
in the eye of the beholder. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who promised genuine
reform, sees only the good in a bill approved last week by the House
Agriculture Committee. But those whose eyes are wide open can see the huge
flaws in
the bill. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., is one of them. He has proposed an
amendment to the committee bill that deserves House support.
The committee's legislation would perpetuate a subsidy program that has been
far too generous to large farmers who grow grain crops, and far too miserly
when it comes to encouraging conservation programs, directing support prices
to fruits and vegetables, and providing incentives for minority farmers. The
Kind amendment addresses all of these concerns.
Under the committee's bill, subsidies would be eliminated for farmers with
more than $1 million in adjusted gross income. As incredible as it seems, the
$1 million ceiling technically qualifies as reform, because the current
ceiling is $2.5 million. But the $1 million is five times higher than the
$200,000
limit favored by the White House, a much more reasonable figure.
The committee bill also continues subsidies for major crops like corn,
soybeans, cotton and rice. But why are corn subsidies needed at all when
prices
are rising to meet growing demand for ethanol?
The committee's bill includes a voluntary crop insurance program that is
offered as an alternative to government subsidies. But as long as subsidies
remain generous, few farmers are likely to join the insurance pool.
Another reform sought by many environmentalists was restoration of $4
billion that had been cut from the Conservation Security Program. But the
committee
bill falls short of that goal and, worse, suspends new sign-ups until 2010.
That would be a big setback in efforts to encourage more farmers to practice
environmental stewardship.
Besides the skewed priorities in the committee bill, there is also the
question of fairness. For example, a Washington Post investigative series
found
that during the last six years, government subsidies totaling $1.3 billion
were
paid to landowners who did no farming. That is symptomatic of a program in
need of major overhaul.
The Kind amendment addresses many of the flaws in the committee bill, while
also providing for expansion of anti-hunger programs and tighter income
levels for subsidy payments. That's a step toward reform that Speaker Pelosi
should embrace. THE ISSUE:A House panel votes to extend crop subsidies.THE
STAKES:The opportunity for major reform should not be wasted.
In a message dated 7/25/2007 11:45:02 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Yes, this is the same Farm Bill with which community gardeners have been
asked to get involved. Yes, the all important vote of the full House on the
bill is taking place on Thursday -- tomorrow. Unfortunately, just what the
coalition of organizations that have been working for over 2 years to prevent
is
happening -- allies are being pitted against each other.
The major provisions that the Community Food Security Coalition has been
lobbying for -- particularly increased funding for the Community Food Projects
program (from $5 million annually to $30 million)-- are in fact in the
Agriculture Committee's bill. Also included are provisions that will allow
for
geographic preference for school systems in purchasing food and other support
for farmers' markets and improved local food distribution.
What is not in the bill, which Oxfam is advocating, is for more widespread
reform to the commodities support program. Although Rep. Kind's bill also
includes much of the above CFSC priorities, it is being looked upon as
adversarial to the Committee's bill. The CFSC is reluctant to advocate for
the Kind
amendment because it most likely will jeopardize the above gains.
Efforts to ensure that the Community Food Projects program is funded at $30
million MANDATORY spending may still be needed. I am awaiting word on this
evening. We may be asking for support for an amendment by Rep. Blumenhauer.
Yes, a complex situation that is changing by the moment.
Betsy Johnson
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don Boekelheide [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 02:19 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [Community_garden] Farm bill update and question
>
> Hi, all,
>
> FYI: I just received the following post from Oxfam,
> forwarded by a local small farm/local food activist
> who has gained my respect over the years.
>
> What gives? Is this the same bill we are being asked
> to support as community gardeners and ACGA members?
> Has somebody been tinkering with the bill? Should we
> support the amendment mentioned in the post?
>
> If we need to support the bill, what do we tell our
> allies and partners who oppose it as harmful to small
> farmers?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Don Boekelheide
> Charlotte NC
>
> Here's the post:
>
> As a member of the Farm Bill Action Team, your help is
> urgently needed. Time is running out for Congress to
> do the right thing on the Farm Bill. Last week, the
> House Agriculture Committee approved a bill that takes
> our food and farm policy from bad to worse, doing
> virtually nothing to help struggling farmers here and
> hurting farmers abroad. Billions of taxpayer dollars
> will continue to go to industrial-sized farms while
> our small farmers receive next to nothing. The House
> has scheduled a vote for Thursday. Luckily, there is
> still time to make a difference, but we need your help
> today to make that happen.
>
> Because you are a member of the Farm Bill Action Team,
> a group dedicated to reform, we are asking a little
> more of you than the average activists. We urge you to
> help make this reform a reality by doing two things.
> First, please call your Representative and ask him/her
> to support the Fairness Amendment to the Farm Bill
> offered by Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Jeff Flake
> (R-AZ). This bipartisan amendment will reduce
> trade-distorting subsidies and shift funds to programs
> that feed hungry families, protect the environment,
> and help poor and minority farmers.
>
> And second, please pledge to get five of your friends,
> family members, colleagues or co-workers to call their
> legislator as well. We've been working with you and
> preparing for a moment like this all year, and now is
> the chance for you to shine!
>
> It's fast and simple, and it can make a big
> difference. Please follow these simple instructions.
>
> 1. Call 1-800-977-1912.
> 2. An automated message will tell you what to say.
> 3. Please enter this six-digit code: 138353.
> 4. You will be connected to your representative's
> office.
>
> You can be sure the special interest groups will try
> to defeat this amendment, so it is critical that you
> call today. Representatives listen to their
> constituents and want to hear from you!
>
> And remember, after you have made your call, make your
> voice even louder by asking at least five friends to
> also make a phone call.
>
> Thank you again for your support of poor farmers.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Tim Fullerton
> Oxfam America
>
> _______________________________________________
> The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of
ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to
find
out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
>
> To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected]
>
> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription:
http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
>
_______________________________________________
The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's
services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find
out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected]
To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription:
http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
>From the Potting Bench of
Gerard Houser
Town of Guilderland
Community Gardens Coordinator
_Town of Guilderland Community Gardens_
(http://hometown.aol.com/organicgardening/Guilderland.html)
************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
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_______________________________________________
The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's
services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out
how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected]
To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription:
http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
