THREE CALLS NEEDED - TODAY! Folks, A feisty alliance of progressive conservationists and family farmers helped forge Senate farm bill legislation the New York Times has called, "the most sweeping environmental legislation since the 1990 Clear Air Act." Today in Washington, in congressional conference committee, these gains are under heavy attack We have all fought hard together over the last year to improve farm policy. There have been many important crossroads, but none more important than this. Rumors are spreading that agribusiness political influence is pressuring key Senators in an attempt to rob conservation funding and direct it to commodities payments which do nothing but increase concentration and overproduction. URGENT PRESSURE NEEDED on three key Senate Democrats TODAY. Please take a simple moment out of your busy day to call Senators Daschle, Conrad and Lehay. All three of them are serving on the farm bill conference committee. This congressional body is now deciding the final outcome of the Farm Bill, weighing the House and Senate versions. Their support is absolutely necessary to stand up against agribusiness and in support of conservation. WHAT TO DO - THREE CALLS NEEDED Call each Senator at the numbers listed below. Ask to speak to the staff member who is in charge of agriculture If they are not in, leave a message. (If you have time, send an email, too. Though calls are much more effective.) Urge them to FIGHT HARD in conference in support of the Senate level of funding for conservation programs. Ask them to stand against transferring conservation money to a commodity title which favors the richest farmers and agribusiness policy. Tell them you support WHIP, FPP, GRP, the Conservation Security Program and other conservation measures in the Senate farm bill. TELL THEM WHO YOU ARE If you are calling from a state they represent (South Dakota, North Dakota, or Vermont.), be sure and tell them. If you are calling from a another state, remind them that the Senator swore an oath to represent the commonwealth of all states. Politely remind them that their decision will effect the ability of all states to arm farmers with powerful conservation tools. PLEASE ACT TODAY and forward this alert to many. Contact Information: Senator Daschle (D-SD) Washington 202-224-2321 Aberdeen: 605-225-8823 Sioux Falls: 605-334-9596 Rapid City: 605-348-7551 [log in to unmask] Senator Conrad (D-ND) Washington: 202-224-2043 Bismarck: 701-258-4648 Fargo: 701-232-8030 Grand Forks: 701-775-9601 Minot: 701-852-0703 [log in to unmask] Senator Leahy (D-VT) Washington: 202-224-4242 Burlington: 802-863-2525 Montpelier: 802-229-0569 [log in to unmask] Many thanks, Scotty Johnson Defenders of Wildlife Rural Outreach Program [log in to unmask] Erin Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]