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Sarah Hackney, Grassroots Director, NSAC
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
January 27, 2012
• Welcome and technology overview• Who is the Central Appalachian Network?• Presentation from Sarah Hackney, National
Sustainable Agriculture Coalition• Questions and discussion
Agenda:
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
Technology Overview
• Attendee lists – how to hide or expand
• Meeting chat – ask questions or make comments
• Address to host (Katy Allen) or to everyone
• Webinar is being recorded
• Follow-up email: link to recording and short evaluation survey
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
The Central Appalachian Network Network led by six non-profit organizations
ACEnet – Athens, OH ASD – Abingdon, VA CEO – Charleston, WV MACED – Berea, KY NCIF – Shepherdstown, WV Rural Action – Trimble, OH
Shared purpose is to work for a more just and sustainable Appalachia
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
The Central Appalachian Network Focused on building and strengthening
local and regional agricultural value chains
Training, technical assistance, network-building, regional gatherings, online learning opportunities, policy outreach and education, small grants program
For more information, visit www.cannetwork.org
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
NSAC Background Our mission:
to support, build, develop, and engage the grassroots of sustainable agriculture for the health and vitality of the sustainable agriculture movement; and
to research, develop, and advocate federal policies relating to farm, food, and environmental issues, appropriations, and implementation to support and advance sustainable agriculture.
An alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
NSAC Background Started in 1988; currently have 80+ member
organizations from around the country We work on the Farm Bill, agricultural legislation,
budget and appropriations, USDA, EPA, FDA, etc. In short: our job is to make sure that federal
policy helps farmers succeed while protecting the environment and keeping our food safe and accessible!
We are a DC voice for farmers and grassroots advocates across the country, and we work as a coalition.
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
Farm Bill Basics Large piece of
legislation Written by the
Agriculture Committees
Reauthorized every 5-7 years
Next reauthorization up in 2012
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
15 “Titles” or Chapters I: Commodity II: Conservation III: Trade IV: Nutrition V: Credit VI: Rural Development VII: Research VIII: Forestry IX: Energy X: Horticulture and
Organic
XI: Livestock XII: Crop Insurance XIII: Commodity Futures XIV: Miscellaneous XV: Trade and Tax Provisions
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
What about the MONEY?
2008 Farm Bill: $284 billion total for 5 years $189 billion: SNAP (food stamps) and nutrition programs
$63 billion: Commodity subsidies and Crop Insurance
$24 billion: Conservation programs $8 billion for all else Organic programs, including research, etc… received under
$0.5 billion total
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
Where Does That Lead Us?
Lots of corn Processed foods
Obesity on the rise
Environmental contamination
Rural exodus
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
The legislative process Where we’re at right now
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
NSAC’s Priority Programs in the Farm Bill THERE ARE MANY!
Research, Extension, and Education Conservation Marketing Rural Development Competition and Fair Markets Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Local Farms, Food and Jobs … and more
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
Under the Hood: What does Reforming the Farm Bill look like anyway?
1. Listening and reaching out for input2. Developing recommendations and
reforms3. Bundling them into marker bills and
platforms4. Identify legislative targets5. Rally grassroots to get better bill
passed
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
1) Listening and Reaching Out
Farmer/Community Workshops & Trainings
Listening Sessions and Hearings Policy Analysis Conferences
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
2) Develop Recommendations and Reforms Organizations get together to decide what they want to
see in the farm bill, incorporating farmer input from communities across America
NSAC 2011 Summer Meeting in Portland, OR
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
3) Marker Bills Smaller placeholder bills that present our
Farm Bill priorities in strategic packages – intended to be ‘rolled up’ into the Farm Bill
The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act The Beginning Farmer and Rancher
Opportunity Act … more to come
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
4) Legislative Targets House and Senate Agriculture
Committees They write the Farm Bill
House and Senate Appropriations Committees They fund the Farm Bill programs
House and Senate Budget Committees They determine how much money can be
spent on programs
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
House Agriculture Committee
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
Senate Agriculture Committee
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
5) Rally the Grassroots!
Organize farmers, consumers, and other supporters to MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD IN
CONGRESS AND LOCALLY!
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
So, where are we now?
Farm Bill up for re-authorization in 2012 The Super Committee process and ‘secret’ Farm Bill
A mixed bag and an important starting point An uncertain future for a 2012 Farm Bill
But we want one this year! Context: Senate up for grabs, election cycle, sequestration…
Primary 2012 Farm Bill goals: Protect our base – crucial programs and funding
Push the policy envelope – key reforms and improvements Build long term grassroots capacity – strengthen our voice
Marker Bills are in motion!
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs ActCreating jobs and spurring economic growth
through food and farms
Creating economic opportunities for farmers and ranchers through local and regional markets.Improving processing and distribution infrastructure for local and regional agriculture.Expanding access to healthy food for consumers, including underserved communities.Providing research, training, and information that farm entrepreneurs need to be successful.
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
A few highlights: Expand Value-Added Producer Grant Program to
food hubs and underserved states/communities Create whole-farm revenue insurance product for
specialty crop producers, livestock/mixed-grain farmers Fund the National Organic Certification Cost Share
Program at an annual amount of $7 million and raising the maximum cap per participants from $750 to $1,000
Local Marketing Promotion Program – formerly the Farmers Market Promotion Program plus funding for larger scale, non-direct local marketing – at $30 million per year
The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act
Investing in America’s future farmers and ranchers
Helping new producers access land and be good land stewards. Assisting new producers to launch and strengthen entrepreneurial ventures and increase the profitability of their agricultural operations and value-adding enterprises. Providing training, mentoring, and research that beginning farmers and ranchers need to be successful. Enhancing access to crop insurance for new producers. Ensuring coordination of federal services for beginning farmers at the state level and conducting outreach on agricultural job opportunities for military veterans.
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act
A few highlights: Young Beginning Farmer and Rancher Microloan
Program: Create a new simplified loan category within direct operating loans to provide flexible capital through operating microloans for beginning farmers and ranchers from 19-35 years old who also receive borrower training.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program: Reauthorize this highly successful flagship training program, increase mandatory funding from $75 million to $125 million over the next 5 years to help meet growing demand for the program, and include a new priority on agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training programs for military veterans.
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
You belong at the table!
Beginning farmers at a roundtable with USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan in 2011
Who do legislators hear from?
Who do legislators WANT to hear from?
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
Speak up!
What can you do in your community?Join your local/regional advocacy groupAttend farm bill listening sessions and field hearings, and get 10 of your friends to come with you.Get to know your legislators (call and visit them!)Know your story and tell it wellHold discussions with farmers in your areaSign up for our alerts and news:
http://www.sustainableagriculture.net
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
Speak up!
Every small, local action matters. A lot. Talk to people in your community Call and email your congressional
representative This really, truly does have BIG IMPACT!
Ask fellow farmers to get involved Support your local organic farmer!
Demystifying the 2012 Farm Bill
A note on nonprofits and advocacy…
All nonprofits can engage in advocacy, but the scope / extent of their lobbying varies according to their tax exempt status.
501(c)(3) organizations can engage in a limited amount of lobbying, 501(c)(4) organizations can engage in an unlimited amount of lobbying, and political organizations may make very limited lobbying expenditures.
The “insubstantial part” test - which, since 1934, has required that “no substantial part of a charity’s activities... be carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.”
The 501(h) is the option for more extensive lobbying. You CAN: advocate for programs and policy reforms. You CANNOT: engage in partisan political activity.
source: http://www.afj.org