demystifying the farm bill

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:


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


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


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


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.


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.


Farm Bill Basics Large piece of

legislation Written by the

Agriculture Committees

Reauthorized every 5-7 years

Next reauthorization up in 2012


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


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


Where Does That Lead Us?

Lots of corn Processed foods

Obesity on the rise

Environmental contamination

Rural exodus


The legislative process Where we’re at right now


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


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


1) Listening and Reaching Out

Farmer/Community Workshops & Trainings

Listening Sessions and Hearings Policy Analysis Conferences


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


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


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


House Agriculture Committee


Senate Agriculture Committee


5) Rally the Grassroots!

Organize farmers, consumers, and other supporters to MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD IN

CONGRESS AND LOCALLY!


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!


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.


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


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.


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.


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?


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


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!


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


Questions? Sarah Hackney

[email protected] 202-547-5754

demystifying the farm bill

Technology

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secret farm bill

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better bill

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