Dear Supporter,<\/p>\n
When you think about the future of food, what do you want to see?\u00a0 If you\u2019re like us, you want to see thriving family farms across the countryside and your choice of fresh, healthy, affordable food in your community.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the House of Representatives is poised to take a giant step backwards this week \u2013 away from the kind of future we want for our food and farms and toward unlimited subsidies for mega-farms and corporate agri-business and reduced investments in sustainable farming.<\/p>\n
The American people didn\u2019t ask for this \u2013 we expect better.\u00a0 Help us tell Congress today.<\/b><\/p>\n
With your help last month we made some big progress in getting farm policy back on track in the Senate and now it\u2019s time to ensure the House of Representatives does the same.\u00a0 An amendment with common-sense, long-overdue farm subsidy reforms is on the table right now \u2013 as is an amendment to support local and regional food and farm efforts.<\/p>\n
This is our chance to reform unlimited subsidies and invest in a better future today!<\/b><\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you need to know:\u00a0 on the reform front, Rep. Fortenberry\u2019s (R-NE) amendment #93<\/b> puts a cap on commodity subsidy payments and closes loopholes that allow mega-farms to collect unlimited payments.\u00a0 As for that better future, Rep. Pingree\u2019s (D-ME) amendment #176<\/b> (with Reps. Fortenberry (R-NE), Gibson (R-NY), and McIntyre (D-NC)) costs nothing and would improve policies to spur small business development and create jobs in rural America by strengthening existing credit, rural development, and research and extension programs that support local food efforts.<\/p>\n
This week, with these amendments, we may finally have a shot at getting a better farm bill in the House of Representatives \u2013 one that supports fresh, healthy food and ensures real reform to corporate and mega-farm subsidies.<\/p>\n
The House will start voting tonight \u2013 make a call today!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Calling is easy \u2013 Just call (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected with your Representative\u2019s office.\u00a0 Once you\u2019re connected to your Representative’s office, leave a message like this one below with the person who answers the phone (if your Representative is already an amendment sponsor, make your call a thank you call!):<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, my name is ___ and I\u2019m a constituent and a voter (and tell \u2018em if you\u2019re a farmer!).\u00a0 I would like to leave a message for Representative ___\u2019s agriculture staffer.\u00a0 Can you take a message for me, please?\u00a0 The message is:\u00a0 I urge the Representative to support two key amendments during farm bill floor debate this week: Fortenberry #93 for subsidy reform and Pingree #176 for local food and economic development.\u00a0 Congress needs to get our farm policy back on track by reforming subsidies and investing in a more sustainable future.\u00a0 Thank you.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
We\u2019re making great progress thanks to you \u2013 every call makes a difference!<\/p>\n
Thanks for all you do,<\/p>\n
Sarah and Shavaun, NSAC\u2019s Grassroots Team<\/p>\n