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THE ORGANIC FARMING RESEARCH FOUNDATION (OFRF)

        Organic Farmer's Action Network 

 

May 22, 2006


Your voice is needed.  

Let Congress know research focused on organic production issues is important to YOU.

 

Ask them to support Rep Holt’s amendment to increase the Organic Transitions program to $5 M in the Agriculture Appropriations bill.

 

 

Dear Vicki Morrone,

 

Its time to take action.    

 

Background:  Congressman Rush Holt of New Jersey is about to offer an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill that would increase spending on the Organic Transitions competitive research grant program from $1.8 million to $5 million. The amendment is cosponsored by Mr. DeFazio of Oregon, Mr. Kind of Wisconsin, and Mr. Leach of Iowa.

 

This program funds systems research that helps farmers surmount the challenges of organic production and marketing.  Field research funded through this program must be done in an organic agro-ecosystem and is intended to be practical and applied research.  Increasing funding from $1.8 to $5 million will be for a competitive grants program called the “Organic Transitions Program” (from $1.8 million to $5 million).

 

Congress has to make some difficult choices this year as funding is limited, but we need to let them know that supporting organic farmers is a priority.  Historically, organic production issues have received a disproportionately small share of USDA research spending.  It is time to change that.

 

Timing:  Calls are needed today.   The bill is expected to be voted upon on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives tomorrow (Tuesday May 23rd).  Your representative needs to hear from you before voting.    Please call today or early tomorrow.

 

What you can do: Call your representative. They need to hear that their constituents are interested in this issue.

 

To find out who your representative is, click here and enter your address.

  1. Call the US Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.   Ask the operator to connect you to representative’s office. The switchboard is open 24/7. If you get a message machine just give your comments that way.
  1. When you get connected, introduce yourself and let them know you are from their district. Tell them if you are a farmer.
  1. Explain you are calling in relation to Rep Holt’s amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill. (H.R.5384)
  1. Ask them to support this amendment which would increase spending for the “Organic Transitions” research grants to $5 million in 2007.    Let them know that reliable information is crucial to farmers’ success.              

 

Please send an email to [log in to unmask] letting us know you called.  Simply put “I called” in the subject line and send.  Or, include a note telling us how the call went!

 

Organic Farmers Action Network (OFAN)
Brise Tencer

Organic Farming Research Foundation
P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-426-6606, 831-426-6670 fax
http//www.ofrf.org

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Vicki Morrone

Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist

Michigan State University

C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems

303 Natural Resrouces Bldg.

East Lansing, MI 48824

517-353-3542

517-282-3557 (cell)

517-353-3834 (fax)

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