Note From Executive Director of the Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative:
We are entering a legislative environment at the federal level where advocacy by faith groups may be more important than at any other time in the last thirty years. With the changes in leadership will come the need for us to redouble our efforts and work harder for our vision. The foundation we’ve been building to activate faith voices for food justice and to promote local and sustainable agriculture will be tested. The test starts now with the planned action by the Appropriations Committee.
Sincerely,
Steve Schwartz
Executive Founding Director, Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative
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Now that the elections are over, it’s time to turn our focus to what’s happening right now in Washington, DC that is urgently important for farmers – next year’s agriculture budget.
Farmers don’t just grow and harvest their products, they’re also running a business – one that’s risky and becoming increasingly more difficult to enter and sustain. For our nation’s historically underserved farmers – including farmers of color and military veteran farmers – starting and managing a successful farming operation can be even more challenging. Due to insufficient or inadequate outreach and targeted assistance to these farming communities, farmers of color and military veterans are underrepresented as participants in a range of federal programs to help new and experienced farmers with land access, disaster assistance, crop insurance and conservation.
For decades, Section 2501 (or USDA’s Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers program) has provided funding to community based organizations and universities to help them reach out to and directly assist African-American, Asian-American, American-Indian, and Latino farmers. The program has funded over 400 projects in over 40 states since 2003.
Non-profit groups have benefitted from program to fund support and training for farmers in Sonoma, Marin, Monterey, Fresno and beyond. This includes helping farmworkers transitioning to being farm owners, and helping young veterans establish businesses.
Unfortunately, in the 2014 Farm Bill, Congress slashed the program’s funding in half, while also expanding it to serve veterans, making it nearly impossible to meet the needs of all of these underserved constituencies. We have the opportunity this month to help get 2501 funding closer to where it needs to be. Senator Feinstein on an important sub-committee that will determine the funding levels for programs like 2501 – can you call your her today and ask for increased funding for this critical program?
Senator Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841
It’s easy and effective! Call your the phone number above and leave a message like the one below with the person who answers the phone.
“Hello, my name is ___ and I’m a constituent and a voter (and tell ‘em if you’re a farmer!). I would like to leave a message for the person who handles agriculture appropriations for Senator Feinstein. Can you take a message for me, please? The message is: please ensure that the final appropriations package includes the Senate’s proposed $3 million in discretionary funding for the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program. Historically underserved farmers need the support of this program, and the outreach and support it provides could help thousands of farmers across the country succeed! [Insert local statement of value here.] Thank you.”
2501 has been essential in ensuring that all farmers are able to benefit from federal programs. Let’s make sure that Congress understands we need to scale up, not cut back on their support for this program.
Note: We want to recognize the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for its active support of the 2501 program in the past.