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Federal Farm Policy The Land Stewardship Project has been working on federal farm policy since 1996. We have a number of full-time and part-time staff carrying this work forward with the help of members and leaders. LSP’s Federal Farm Policy Committee, which includes farmers from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, is the primary steering committee for this work. In addition, LSP works with a number of coalitions, including the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, to win positive reforms on key issues facing the environment and family farms. For more information on how you can get involved in reforming federal farm policy, contact LSP’s Policy and Organizing Program at 612-722-6377 or adamw@landstewardshipproject.org.
Beginning Farmer & Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 2008 Farm Bill • LSP's Final Report Card on 2008 Farm Bill Conservation Stewardship Program Pork Checkoff Campaign Multiple Benefits of Agriculture & Pasture Raised Livestock
Action Alerts
• June 27, 2011: National Call-in Day for Family Farm Conservation & Local Food Tuesday, June 28 • June 7, 2011: Pres. Obama Needs to Stand Up for Fair Market Livestock Reform • February 14, 2011: Livestock Producer Fairness Rules Under USDA Review • November 10, 2010: Comment on Proposed GIPSA Rule by Nov. 22; Farmers' Voices Need to be Heard • October 25, 2010: Tell Congress that GIPSA Needs to be Enacted & Enforced • January 7, 2009: Preserve Funding for Beginning Farmer, Conservation & Organics • May 9, 2008: Tell Congress to Pass the 2008 Farm Bill • March 13: 2008: Farm Bill Action Alert: Call Today—Conservation Security Program in Jeopardy • December 19, 2007: Contact USDA Officials by Jan. 28 & Tell Them We Need a Meaningful 'Naturally Raised' Label • December 11, 2007: Tell Senators to Cap Commodity Payments & Shift Savings to Beginning Farmer, Conservation & Rural Development Programs • September 5, 2007: Stop Factory Farm Handouts in the Farm Bill—Support Stewardship on the Land • August 31, 2007: 2007 Farm Bill: Call Senate Ag Committee Members Klobuchar & Coleman to Restore Open Competition, Fair Markets & Healthy Rural Communities. • May 11, 2007: Support Beginning Farmers in the 2007 Farm Bill. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/alerts/07/newsr_070511.htm • April 24, 2007: Fight Corporate Concentration in the Livestock Industry. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/alerts/07/newsr_070424.htm • November 24, 2006: Make Your Voice Heard on U.S. Farm & Food Policy Dec. 12. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/alerts/06/newsr_061124.htm • July 21, 2006: Tell USDA by Aug. 10 That You Want a Strong Grass-fed Label. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/alerts/06/newsr_060721.htm • November 1, 2005: Save Conservation Funding—Call Sen. Norm Coleman by Nov. 3. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/alerts/05/newsr_051101.htm • October 3, 2005: Save Nutrition & Conservation Funding in October. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/alerts/05/newsr_051003.htm • September 2, 2005: Save Nutrition & Conservation Funding by Sept. 16. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/alerts/05/newsr_050902.htm • August 2, 2005: Support Family Farms & the Environment. Stop Taxpayer Handouts to Mega-Farms. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/alerts/05/newsr_050802.htm
Testimony & Statements • On Oct. 24, 2011, the Land Stewardship Project's Policy and Organizing program drafted a letter to U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, ranking member of the House Committee on Agriculture, outlining LSP's concerns that proposed "Super Committee" budget cuts will negatively affect conservation and beginning farmer initiatives. LSP's letter also calls • "Sound Investments to Ensure the Next Generation of Beginning Farmers" is background material used during a beginning farmer fly-in to Washington, D.C., on June 14-16, 2011, that the Land Stewardship Project participated in. The focus of the fly-in was how the 2012 Farm Bill can help support the next generation of farmers. • On April 1, 2011, Mark Schultz, who is LSP's Associate Director, Director of Policy and Director of Programs, sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack expressing serious concerns about efforts to slash the budgets of key farm conservation programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program. Schultz calls for any federal initiatives that calibrate agriculture funding and policy to be conducted through the reauthorization framework of the Farm Bill. • On Nov. 23, 2010, LSP issued a statement calling for swift implementation and enforcement of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule. • On Nov. 22, 2010, the Land Stewardship Project submitted 20 pages of comments to the USDA’s Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration in support of more stringent enforcement of the the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. This law is squarely aimed at ensuring farmers receive a fair opportunity to market livestock and prohibits meat packers from using unfair, discriminatory or deceptive practices in the procurement of slaughter-ready animals. The 2008 Farm Bill included a directive that USDA shall develop rules so the Packers and Stockyards Act can be better enforced. Enforcement to date has been severely lacking even as meat packers’ methods become increasingly deceptive and unfair. Click here to download a pdf version of LSP's comments. • June 23, 2010: "LSP Statement on USDA's Proposed Rule to Protect Farmers from Packers' Unfair Practices" is in response to the USDA's release of a proposed rule that would strengthen the ability of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration to ensure protections for farmers against unfair, fraudulent or retaliatory practices and abuses by corporate meatpackers in the marketing of livestock. • March 15, 2010: "FY 2011 Budget Request: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account (IDA) Program" is a fact sheet developed by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition that outlines the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account (IDA) Program. This program is designed to help beginning farmers and ranchers of limited means finance their agricultural endeavors through business and financial education and matched savings accounts. This program contains both the training and the incentives for individuals who might not otherwise be able to make asset-building purchases to get started in agriculture. • March 15, 2010: "Dear Colleague Letter on Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account (IDA) Program" is a letter by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Max Baucus asking their colleagues to support the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account with a budget appropriation of $5 million for FY 2011. • October 20, 2009: "Cover Letter on Loan Suspension Petition" is a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack by the Land Stewardship Project and other members of the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment. It was sent along with a 25,000-signature petition calling for an immediate suspension of all direct or guaranteed loans for the construction or expansion of specialized hog and poultry production facilities. • April 2009: "Climate Questionnaire" is a form through which LSP commented on how proposed Congressional legislation should take into consideration the role diverse farming systems can play in reducing the negative effects of global climate change. The questionnaire was developed by Collin Peterson, Chair of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. • April 22, 2009: "Letter on the Clean Water Restoration Act" is a letter written by LSP's Policy and Organizing Director Mark Schultz and sent to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). It describes why passage of the Clean Water Restoration Act would support, not impede, more successful family farms raising crops and livestock on the land. • December 19, 2008: "LSP Statement on the Proposed Appointment of Tom Vilsack as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture" is LSP's response to President-elect Barack Obama's nomination for USDA head. • May 15, 2008: "LSP Statement on Congressional Passage of 2008 Farm Bill" describes why the Land Stewardship Project believes President George Bush should sign into law the Food, Conservation and Security Act of 2008. • December 14, 2007: "LSP Statement on the Senate Farm Bill: A Mixed Bag" is an analysis of the U.S. Senate's version of the 2007 Farm Bill, which was passed on Dec. 14, 2007. It also contains a link to LSP's Report Card on the Senate and House versions of the Farm Bill. • November 16, 2007: "Letter to U.S. Senators on Proposal to Expand Farm Credit System’s Lending Authority" is a letter co-signed by the Land Stewardship Project calling on the U.S. Senate to reject the proposal to expand the lending authority of the Farm Credit System (FCS), unless that proposal also includes clear and binding provisions that direct FCS to do more for small- and mid-sized, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. • March 27, 2007: "Statement of Karen Stettler, Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings® Director, for the Credit Hearing of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture" outlines how Congress can help beginning farmers in the 2007 Farm Bill. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/07/newsr_070327-2.htm • July 22, 2006: "Statement of Paul Sobocinski to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture" outlines the Land Stewardship Project's priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill, including increased support for CSP. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/06/newsr_060722.htm
Press Releases • October 24, 2011: Beginning Farmer & Rancher Opportunity Act Introduced in Congress • September 30, 2011: LSP Applauds USDA’s Continued Support of Beginning Farmers & Ranchers • June 22, 2011: Family Farmers Urge Obama Administration to Finalize Livestock Rules On Anniversary of Release of GIPSA Proposed Reforms • June 20, 2011: Central MN Farmer Joins Natl. Effort to Push for Beginning Farmer Initiatives in Federal Ag Policy • October 19, 2010: USDA Awards Funding to Minnesota Beginning Farmer Initiative • August 30, 2010: MN Farmers Call for Fair & Open Livestock Markets at National Agriculture Competition Workshop • August 19, 2010: MN Livestock Producers Call for an End to Unfair Tactics of Giant Meatpackers • October 20, 2009: 25,000 Citizens Urge USDA’s Vilsack to End Detrimental Lending Practices • May 15, 2009: LSP UPDATE: Federal Programs & Funding Available for Farmers • February 25, 2009: Farm Bill Opportunities for Rural Communities, Farmers & Entrepreneurs Discussed in Western MN March 10-11 • December 8, 2008: New Report Exposes Subsidies to Factory Farms • August 29, 2008: LSP Family Farmers Discuss Beginning Farmer & Conservation Implementation with U.S. House Rep. Walz on New Ulm Farm • August 21, 2008: U.S. House Ag Chair Peterson Discusses Beginning Farmers, Livestock Competition, Conservation & Local Food Systems with the Land Stewardship Project • May 2, 2008: MN Farmers Urge President to Sign 2008 Farm Bill • February 14, 2008: MN Farmers Call for Greater Conservation Security Program Investment in Peterson Farm Bill Conference Proposal • November 2, 2007: $288 Billion Farm Bill to be Finalized by U.S. Senate Next Week • October 18, 2007: Senate Farm Bill Deal Leaves Beginning Farmers Out • June 26, 2007: Conservation Security Program Funding Restored • May 16, 2007: Beginning Farmer & Rancher Opportunity Act Introduced in Congress • December 7, 2006: Farmers Push Farm Bill Reform During D.C. Trip. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/06/newsr_061207.htm • October 11, 2006: Minnesota Farm & Conservation Organizations Call for 2007 Farm Bill Reform. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/06/newsr_061011.htm • July 21, 2006: Conservation & Beginning Farmer Initiatives Should be Priorities of New Farm Bill: Group to Testify at House Ag Committee Field Hearing Saturday. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/06/newsr_060721.htm
Articles & Commentaries • "Farmers to Obama: What's Holding up the GIPSA Rules?" is a story that was broadcast by Public News Service Feb. 17, 2011. It describes LSP's efforts to get the President to implement rules that would make livestock marketing more fair for family farmers and ranchers. • "Your turn: Program targets conservation" is a commentary on the Conservation Stewardship Program that appeared in the Sept. 19, 2009, edition of the St. Cloud Times. It was written by the Land Stewardship Project's Federal Farm Policy Committee. • "Your View: Suspend government credit for hog expansion" is a letter-to-the-editor that appeared in the Sept. 12, 2009, edition of the Mankato Free Press. It was written by Land Stewardship Project member-farmer Joel Penner and calls for an end to government-backed loans that help large hog operations expand a time when oversupplies of pigs are already a problem. • "Gorman excited about options in new CSP program" appeared in the Aug. 20, 2009, edition of Agri News. It features LSP Federal Farm Policy Committee member Bill Gorman. • "What's Up With Our Food?: Safety and Nutrition vs. Cheap Vittles" is a program that ran on KFAI radio's "Truth to Tell" program Aug. 19, 2009. It featured LSP member-farmer Atina Diffley, along with LSP Community Based Food Systems staff members Sarah Claassen and Tom Taylor. • "Revamped program pays farmers for conservation work" appeared in the Aug. 18, 2009, edition of The Country Today. It features LSP Federal Farm Policy Committee member Matt Urch. • "Locally grown foods could energize rural economies" is an article that appeared in the April 4, 2007, edition of the Morris Sun Tribune. It describes the "Homegrown Economy: Foods from Local Farms as Economic Development" conference, which LSP participated in. • "Teenager Koether is already a veteran Washington lobbyist" is an article that appeared in the March 29, 2007, edition of Agri News. It describes LSP member Kayla Koether's recent trip to Washington, D.C. • "Encourage new farmers, ag group leader says" is an article that appeared in the March 28, 2007, edition of the RochesterPost-Bulletin. It describes testimony given to a Congressional subcommittee by Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings director Karen Stettler. • "Walz supports LSP Farm Bill priorities" is an article that appeared in the Feb. 23, 2007, edition of the Fillmore County Journal. It describes a meeting between LSP members and U.S. Representative Tim Walz. • "Conservation Security Program should be fully funded" is an article by outdoor journalist Babe Winkelman that appeared in the Jan. 11, 2007, edition of the Walker (Minn.) Pilot-Independent. It describes efforts by Bill Gorman and other others to get full support for the Conservation Security Program in the next Farm Bill. Gorman is a member of the Land Stewardship Project's Federal Farm Policy Committee. • "A Sales Pitch for Farm Habitat" is an article that appeared in the November-December 2006 issue of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. It features Land Stewardship Project member Bonnie Haugen and describes efforts to improve wildlife habitat on farms using federal agricultural conservation programs. • "Redesigning Agriculture" is a book review article that appeared in the October 2006 edition of the scientific journal BioScience. It describes ideas for making agriculture more sustainable. It was written by LSP's George Boody and Brian DeVore. • "Why the Farm Bill Matters* (*Yes, even to you.)" is an article on why the general public should care about the federal Farm Bill. It appeared in the Fall 2006 edition of Edible Twin Cities magazine. • "Farming green -- and getting punished: Farm policy should reward proven conservation techniques" is an editorial that appeared in the Sept. 20, 2006, edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It describes how Land Stewardship Project members like Dan and Cara Miller are punished by the government farm program for utilizing diversified, sustainable production systems. It also cites a Multiple Benefits of Agriculture study LSP participated in. • “A farm family gets rewarded for good stewardship” is an LSP podcast (No. 24) dated Aug. 25, 2006, featuring the Koether family, who is participating in the Conservation Security Program. • “LSP calls for sustainable farm policy at a Congressional hearing” is an LSP podcast (No. 23) dated July 27, 2006, that features LSP organizer Paul Sobocinski’s testimony before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. • “LSP's Mark Schultz discusses federal farm policy reform” is an LSP podcast (No. 22) dated June 30, 2006, that features LSP Policy and Organizing Director Mark Schultz discussing ways to reform farm policy • "Crop subsidies have worldwide impact, says West African cotton farmer" is a story published by the Winona Daily News on April 22, 2006. It describes how LSP and Oxfam America are working to reform the U.S. commodity crop subsidy system. • "When Ag Policy Goes Good" is a special Land Stewardship Project report on how CSP is working on various Midwestern farms. It appeared in the July/August/September 2005 issue of the Land Stewardship Letter. • Going Green in Agriculture" is a series of stories first broadcast on National Public Radio in July 2005. They feature Land Stewardship Project members Tex Hawkins and Dave Serfling, as well as the work of the Multiple Benefits of Agriculture initiative and LSP's Federal Farm Policy Committee.
Podcasts
Resources & Links • "Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program: 2010 Progress Report and Recommendations" is a Feb. 2011 LSP analysis of how USDA has implemented the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) during its first year of existence. Congress established BFRDP in the 2002 Farm Bill, and in the 2008 Farm Bill provided it with $75 million in mandatory funding for fiscal years 2009-2012. LSP was instrumental in the development and passage of BFRDP. BFRDP is the first-ever beginning farmer development program funded by Congress. • Land Stewardship Project: Keeping the Land & People Together is a document describing LSP's work to challenge corporations that pollute the land and force family farmers out of business. • Industrial Livestock at the Taxpayer Trough: How Large Hog and Dairy Operations are Subsidized by the Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a special report produced in December 2008 by the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE). Based on an analysis of government statistics, the report describes how large-scale industrial operations are garnering the bulk of EQIP funds at the expense of small- and moderate-sized family farms. LSP is a member of CFFE. • In November 2007, the USDA released its proposal for label claims related to "naturally raised" livestock and meat. The public has until Jan. 28, 2008, to comment on the proposals. After public comments are considered, the USDA will issue a final rule. To view the USDA's proposal notice, click here. • LSP is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the Midwest Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, which work for a system of agriculture that is economically profitable, environmentally sound, family-farm based and socially just. More information is available at http://www.msawg.org. • Oxfam America has been working with LSP to develop agricultural policies that are fair to farmers here and abroad. http://www.oxfamamerica.org • The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Security Program web page is at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.
Upcoming Policy Events No upcoming events
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