ACTION ALERT:  TELL SENATORS TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR THE CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM &
VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS PROGRAM 

On June 25, House appropriators approved an agriculture funding bill for Fiscal Year 2004 that prohibits funding for two of the most innovative programs in 2002 Farm Bill: the Conservation Security Program and the Value-Added Producer Grants Program.  Congress created the CSP and expanded the VAPG program just a year ago in the farm bill to meet urgent needs of farmers and rural communities in the Midwest and across the country.  The House action puts them in grave peril. 

ACTION:  Please immediately write and FAX (or if you prefer, call) both of your Senators and urge them to protect funding for the Conservation Security Program and Value-Added Producer Grants Program.  Urge him or her to reject the House proposal to cut funding for the Conservation Security and Value-Added Grants programs during Senate consideration of this year’s agricultural appropriations bill.

WHY NOW?  The congressional funding process for Fiscal Year 2004 is heating up.  The Senate Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to approve its version of the bill on July 15 and the bill could get to the Senate floor by the end of July.  THEREFORE IT’S IMPORTANT TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS NOW! 

BACKGROUND:   The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is a 2002 Farm Bill initiative to provide financial assistance to farmers who are solving key natural resource and environmental problems by adopting sustainable practices and systems. The CSP provides support to farmers andranchers who are already engaged in strong conservation systems to protect soil, water, air, and wildlife or who will adopt more sustainable systems as part of the program.  The CSP serves all regions of the country and all types of crop and livestock agriculture.  USDA is in the process of issuing a proposed rule for the CSP this summer, with program enrollment scheduled to start in the next fiscal year which begins October 1, 2003.

The Value-Added Producer Grants program provides funding to help develop new markets, products and cooperatives, returning a greater share of food system profits to farmers and their local communities.  It includes funding for sustainable and organic farm enterprises and marketing as well as for efforts to add value by identifying products as through labeling.  Last year, this grants program funded $38 million in innovative value-added initiatives across the country.  In doing so, it helped increase farm income, diversify agricultural operations, augment stretched state economic development dollars, and support producers seeking to farm in ways that steward our natural resources.  Another application process will begin late this summer.

CONTACTING YOUR SENATORS IS SIMPLE.  You can find the fax number for both of your Senators at www.congress.org.  If you prefer to call, the phone number for the U.S. Capital operator is: PHONE:  is (202) 224-3121.  Just ask the operator to connect you to your Senator’s office, and then ask to speak to the staff person who covers agriculture.  If the staff person is not available, leave them a message on voice mail, or leave your message with the receptionist.
THIS ACTION IS QUICK BUT CRUCIAL. Our programs only survive because people like you respond to action alerts like this and contact key appropriators.  THANK YOU for contacting your Senators today!
 
 
Teresa Opheim
Coordinator
Midwest Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
1614 Morningside Drive
Iowa City, IA  52245
319/354-0258
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Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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www.iowa.sierraclub.org