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*Please Share Widely!* Hello Everyone, The 2008 Farm Bill is set to expire on September 30, 2012. This is it. It’s make or break time for the 2012 Farm Bill. What is at stake? - Hands-on training and tools for beginning farmers and ranchers. - Support for cutting-edge organic and sustainable research. - New infrastructure – like ‘food hubs’ and innovative marketing tools – that helps farmers take advantage of ever-growing demand for local and regional food. - … and more! These are the programs in the bill that give farmers – and their allies in your community – the tools to grow and succeed, and to harness economic opportunities across the nation. *Unless Congress takes action, these programs will expire on September 30 and hundreds of millions of dollars for sustainable agriculture, economic development, and beginning farmer support will literally disappear. * *We can’t let this happen on our watch.* Help us tell Congress this is unacceptable – take just 5 minutes to call your Representative and Senators today! <http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=gO2CoAawrQL4N9ShMePhk9xmJi0cdtI%2F> The message is simple: * “Don’t walk away from America’s farmers and ranchers. Pass the 2012 Farm Bill and fully fund farm bill programs for beginning farmers, local food, organic agriculture, and rural jobs that expire on September 30 – programs that create jobs in rural communities, help farmers seize market opportunities, and invest in the next generation of farmers.” * Click here to get your Rep and Senators’ contact information. <http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BoXBwuHjANNsluy2OsqAotxmJi0cdtI%2F> <http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=a4JeiUyAT3lmBnipSHO9JNxmJi0cdtI%2F> *Your message TODAY matters – thank you for taking action!*<http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=p5Qp4Oj7YM8V8NZfG6z6stxmJi0cdtI%2F> *Thanks for all you do building a better food system in Michigan and beyond! * P.S. When you do call – tell us how it went! <[log in to unmask]> P.P.S. Here's the scene from Capitol Hill today, where farmers and ranchers from around the country rallied for a farm bill now! It's critical that any farm bill - or extension - fully fund programs that support sustainable agriculture, economic development, and beginning farmers and ranchers! Best wishes, Lindsey Scalera *Michigan Voices for Good Food Policy* Grassroots Organizer 734-646-2428 [log in to unmask] http://migoodfoodpolicy.wordpress.com/ @michiganvoices <http://twitter.com/michiganvoices> #migoodfood *Sign-on to NSAC's Farm Bill Platform* http://bit.ly/2012FarmBillSignOn National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition www.sustainableagriculture.net 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