FARM BILL ACTION ALERT: It’s Time to Call for Reform

This action alert is from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, of which CalCAN is a member. We encourage those in California to make calls to the below Senators (numbers and script included). For those from other states, call the Congressional switchboard to get connected directly: (202) 224-3121.

This is a big week: the 2018 Farm Bill is on the move again! You helped us achieve some great progress over the past several months: this Senate version of the farm bill largely does right by sustainable agriculture, local food, beginning farmers and farmers of color, organics, and more. It is overall a step in the right direction on many issues.

But our work’s not done yet! The Senate farm bill bill also includes major corporate giveaways that make it harder for family-scale independent farmers and ranchers to succeed. To build a more sustainable food and farm future we’ve got to have both those good investments in farmers and food systems y reforms to the policies that underpin the system.

Right now, this bill lets Wall Street investors and other non-farmers collect nearly unlimited farm subsidies and over-subsidizes crop insurance for the wealthiest operations. These loopholes contribute to unaffordable farmland for would-be independent family farmers and distort competition for everyone.* The farm safety net is critical, but taxpayer resources must be directed fairly.

Several Senators attempted to introduce amendments just a few weeks ago in the Agriculture Committee to put in place some common-sense reforms, but they were kept from a vote.** They aren’t giving up, though – and neither are we. We have a chance again this week to achieve reforms that will stop corporate giveaways, limit land ownership consolidation, and ensure a more level playing field for farmers nationwide. The two positive amendments with the most bipartisan support are being offered on the Senate floor this week by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL).

Can you take 60 seconds to call your Senators in support of the Grassley and Durbin amendments?

Here’s a sample message to share:

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a constituent. I understand the Senate is debating the 2018 Farm Bill this week. I’d like to share a message for the Senator’s agriculture staffer, please. Here is the message: I urge the Senator to SUPPORT Senator Grassley’s amendment to the farm bill that will ensure farm commodity payments go to family farms, not corporate investors. I also urge the Senator to SUPPORT Senator Durbin’s amendment to reduce crop insurance subsidies for millionaires. These two amendments are common-sense reform measures that will help independent family farmers and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Thank you for your time.

That’s all it takes! Thanks for your help – this is a major turning point in our work for a better 2018 Farm Bill.

Onward,

The NSAC Grassroots Team

* A recently released Government Accountability Office report found that taxpayers provided $260 million in farm program payments to individuals who do not live or work on a farm. These payments should be targeted to farmers.

** Read more about the Senate Agriculture Committee process on our blog.

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