Just a minor correction regarding the Hearing.
Stabenow’s Committee Staff has informed me that you DO need to RSVP for the event, EVEN IF YOU RSVP’D for the cancelled Hearing.
You DON’T need to resubmit questions or testimony that were submitted for the original Hearing.
It would be great if the panel received a number of questions about organics. Here is a sample question which you could submit: "Organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing sectors of agriculture, creating jobs in rural America and lucrative market opportunities for American family farmers. How can we promote and protect organic farming and farmers in the 2012 Farm Bill?"
Written Testimony will be extremely important as well. So please submit it if you can.
Why you Should Come: Negotiations are already under way to determine what will and will not be included in the 2012 Farm Bill. Substantial budget cuts are being proposed, both to mandatory 2008 Farm Bill programs, and to programs that would likely otherwise be included in the 2012 Farm Bill. We understand the need to reduce spending, but Congress should take a fair and balanced approach, and not only single out specific programs that benefit organic farmers. We need Senator’s Stabenow and Roberts to see how much support there is for protecting funding for organic agriculture and conservation programs in the next Farm Bill. We need you, the farmers and farm supporters, to show up.
What’s at Stake: A few of the organic programs that are funded in the 2008 Farm Bill that need to be re-funded in the 2012 Farm Bill include the following:
· Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)
Administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, OREI is USDA’s flagship competitive grants program dedicated to organic research and extension activities. OREI funds research projects on organic agricultural systems, ranging from improving weed management and developing organic seed to enhancing environmental sustainability and carbon sequestration on organic farms.
· National Organic Certification Cost-share Program (NOCCSP)
This cost-share program helps certified organic farmers and handlers offset the costs of certification by providing a small reimbursement of no more that $750 per year.
· Organic Production and Market Data Initiatives (ODI)
A small but significant initiative, ODI received $5 million over five years in the last farm bill to fund basic USDA data collection on the organic sector.
· Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative (EQIP OI) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
USDA National Resource Conservation Programs that provide financial incentives for farmers to conserve land for environmental benefits and to implement practices, such as organic agricultural methods, that are environmentally sustainable.
· National Organic Program (NOP)
NOP enforces the national organic program standards, accredits certifiers, develops equivalency agreements, handles complaints – in essence, NOP ensures the integrity of the organic seal.
Hope to see you there!
Taylor Reid
Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance (MOFFA) Policy Committee
On 4/27/11 10:06 PM, "Morrone, Vicki" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]> wrote:
This just in from Senator Stabenow's office. Rescheduled meeting on a discussion of the upcoming 2012 Farm bill. Please come if you can, as it is important to have a voice on organic and sustainable ag priorities. The event is May 31, 9-12 at the Kellogg Conference Center, East Lansing, MI
Hope to see you there. No reservations are necessary. If you can't come then please send her a letter about your farm and your priorities that will help you be a successful farmer or ag business person..
Vicki Morrone
Outreach Specialist for Organic Production
303 Natural Resources
East Lansing MI 48824
517-353-3542/517-282-3557 (cell)
517-353-3832 fax
Www.michiganorganic.msu.edu--
From: "aghearing (Agriculture)" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:19:45 -0400
To: "aghearing (Agriculture)" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Agriculture Field Hearing - Rescheduled
AGRICULTURE FIELD HEARING - RESCHEDULED
April 26, 2011
As the new Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, I am writing to invite you to the first official field hearing on the upcoming reauthorization of our nation’s Farm Bill. Senator Pat Roberts from Kansas, who is the Ranking Member on the Committee, will be joining me for the hearing.
Senate Agriculture Committee Field Hearing
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Kellogg Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
http://www.kelloggcenter.com/about/location.html
Congress considers the Farm Bill only once every five years. As you know, this legislation has broad implications for agriculture as well as sweeping impact on our energy, conservation, rural development, research, forestry and nutrition policies. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and to be a part of the official record of committee debate.
You may participate in the hearing by submitting written testimony which will be included in the official record of the hearing. Three copies of your testimony can be submitted at the hearing or can be sent to the Committee no later than June 7, 2011. You may also submit questions for possible consideration by the panel members during a limited question and answer period before May 26, 2011. Send your testimony or questions to [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask] or to US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, 328A Russell Senate Office Bldg, Washington, D.C. 20510. If you previously submitted testimony and questions, there is no need to resubmit.
For up-to-date information on the hearing and Farm Bill process, you can visit the Senate Agriculture Committee website at ag.senate.gov.
To RSVP for the hearing, contact the Agriculture Committee Office at 202-224-2035 or email [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask].
Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
Chairwoman
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
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