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Hi everyone, The Senate Agriculture Committee’s version of the 2012 Farm Bill is up for debate by the full Senate this week. *But it looks like they forgot to include a few things in the farm bill - like robust funding for rural development and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer programs.* That’s right! Programs that boost jobs through rural entrepreneurship, invest in the future of American agriculture, and provide assistance to historically underserved farmers received little to no funding in the Committee’s bill. *How could these important programs get left behind?* Fortunately, there is still a chance to ensure that these programs are not forgotten. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with other interested Senators, is considering offering an amendment in the next few days that restores funding to crucial rural development and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer programs, including: - Value-Added Producer Grants<http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qhhYrfGUwICVkU10t9wd2fsf1L9MRvAh&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsustainableagriculture.net%2Fpublications%2Fgrassrootsguide%2Flocal-food-systems-rural-development%2Fvalue-added-producer-grants%2F> - Rural Microentrepeneur Assistance Program<http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=njA4njk5%2BXY%2Bln%2B3qxaqM3UGB6ataHW1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsustainableagriculture.net%2Fpublications%2Fgrassrootsguide%2Flocal-food-systems-rural-development%2Frural-micro-entrepeneur-assistance%2F> - Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program<http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=f4euSwjZK54MZZX5l3gs13UGB6ataHW1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsustainableagriculture.net%2Fpublications%2Fgrassrootsguide%2Ffarming-opportunities%2Fbeginning-farmer-development-program%2F> - Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program (Section 2501)<http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2F2d1Va0%2F%2FaEYFqELTZKWFXUGB6ataHW1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsustainableagriculture.net%2Fpublications%2Fgrassrootsguide%2Ffarming-opportunities%2Fsocially-disadvantaged-farmers-program%2F> * Will you support this effort to ensure the 2012 Farm Bill creates jobs in rural America and invests in the next generation of farmers? * *Call your Senators TODAY and ask for their support on this amendment:* Sen. Carl Levin (202) 224-6221 Sen. Debbie Stabenow (202) 224-4822 *Tell your Senators**: ** Please ensure that rural communities and the future of American agriculture are not left out of the farm bill. Senator Sherrod Brown is considering an amendment that funds important programs like Value-Added Producer Grants and the Rural Microentrepeneur Assistance Program - two programs that create jobs and spur economic growth through food and farms. And this potential amendment invests critical funding in the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program - two programs that support the future of American agriculture. Please support our rural communities and future farmers by reaching out to Senator Brown and supporting this amendment.* Your Senators need to hear that you want a farm bill with real reform and real improvements for our rural places and the future of farming. Don’t delay - the Senate is about to start debate on the 2012 Farm Bill, so they need to hear from you TODAY. Thank you for all that you do, Lindsey Scalera *Michigan Voices for Good Food Policy* Grassroots Organizer 734-646-2428 [log in to unmask] http://migoodfoodpolicy.wordpress.com/ *Sign-on to NSAC's Farm Bill Platform* http://bit.ly/2012FarmBillSignOn National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition www.sustainableagriculture.net P.S. When you call, tell us how it went <[log in to unmask]>! And help us spread the word by sharing this message! If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html