Here is an update on the Senate Farm Bill.  I hope this information is useful as you respond to the letter that was sent to all members asking people to contact Senators Grassley and Harkin.

A Farm Bill passed through the Senate Ag Committee on November 15.  The bill does contain the Conservation Security Act.  The bill will go to the Senate floor after Thanksgiving and will probably be voted on in early to mid December.  So now is the time to call Senators Grassley and Harkin!  

Please urge Senator Grassley to support the Conservation Security Act.  And thank Senator Harkin for all of his hard work in getting the CSA into the Farm Bill.

You might be hearing information about the Leahy-Reid Farm Bill proposal.  This bill has support from the National Sierra Club.  It also contains the Conservation Security Act.  However, our focus in Iowa has been on supporting Senator Harkin in his work.  Therefore, we still should thank him for including the CSA in the Ag Committee version of the Farm Bill.  And we should urge Senator Grassley to support the Conservation Security Act no matter what bill it is in.

If you have questions, please contact me at [log in to unmask] or at the phone number listed below.  Thank you for your help in encouraging our senators to do what's right for our family farmers, our environment, and the future of Iowa.

Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868